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Fay Alan Ellwanger, 79, of Garden Prairie, IL, died at OSF St Anthonys in Rockford, IL on May 12, 2024. He was born to Harry M. and Charlotte, the 4TH of 6 children in the house his parents built in Capron, IL on July 14, 1944. Fay graduated from North Boone high school in 1962. He was a lifetime farmer and started hauling livestock in 1973. Being a lifetime farmer, he was also a member the Leroy Commandoes 4-H club and the North Boone FFA. He was a Prairie Grange member for 50 years, where he was also a past Fair board director for the Boone County Fair. He supported the Garden Prairie Church of Christ. Fay was also a Former Trustee of Bonus Township. Fay was a Volunteer Fireman for Boone County District #2 Fire Dept. for 18 years where he enjoyed being part of the water fight team. Fay was proud to reside on a centennial farm owned in the Ellwanger name since 1903.

Fay married his sweetheart, Donna Lynn Wych, on April 15, 1967, in Poplar Grove, IL. Fay's interests included FARMING, tractor pulling, coin collecting, antique tractors, and collecting farm toys. Fay enjoyed riding the countryside on his Kawasaki Mule. He knew EVERYONE in Boone County and you either loved him or hated him!

Fay is loved and missed by his wife, Donna Lynn; children, Jodi (William) Johnson, Donald (Heather) Ellwanger, and Adam (Sara) Ellwanger; grandchildren, Kaelyn Rose Johnson, Madelyn Ann Johnson (Alek Escudero), Daniel Jacob "DJ" (Jennifer) Ellwanger, Brandon (Lexi Tintleman) Ellwanger, Christopher Ellwanger, Emilie Ellwanger, Scarlette Ellwanger, and Caroline Ellwanger; great- granddaughter Piper Ellwanger; And Grand-dog Tru.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Harry Merton Ellwanger and Charlotte Alice (Goodall) Ellwanger; brother, Harry Roger; and two infant grandsons.

A visitation for Fay will be from 5 to 8 PM, Friday, May 31, 2024, (with Fire Department walkthrough at 6PM and Grange service at 7:30PM) at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008. Funeral service will be at noon Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the funeral home. Pastor Tim Ramsden will officiate. Burial at Lawrenceville Cemetery in Garden Prairie at 2 p.m. There will be a celebration of life at Boone County District #2 fire station in Belvidere following the service. In Lieu of flowers donations for a memorial bench at the Fairgrounds would be appreciated.

Fay went just the way he wanted to…running full speed and fighting until the end. To light a candle and share a condolence, please visit www.andersonfcom.