Wilbur E. "Sam" Hyser, 80, of Garden Prairie, died Sunday, May 5, 2013 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center with family by his side. Born January 30, 1933 in Belvidere, son of Donald James and Thelma Esther (Hart) Hyser. Served in the US Army and the Army reserves. Married Lois Carlson on December 15, 1956 in Belvidere. He started working for his father hauling milk from local farmers to market and then he became an over-the-road and local truck driver. He was also a hobby farmer raising farm animals and cultivating the land, grew sunflowers, had a 3 acre vegetable garden, enjoyed watching the birds in his bird feeder, and loved everything related to nature. He collected Allis Chalmers and Simplicity garden tractors and sold pumpkins on the side of the road where he enjoyed watching the children pick them out. The most important of all was that he devoted his entire life to take care of his family.Survived by his loving wife Lois; children Victor (Denise) of Stillman Valley, Michael (Aileen) of Belvidere, Sandra (Willard) Cooper of Missouri, Barb (Rich) Raczkowski of Poplar Grove, Donna (Jim) Howland of Garden Prairie, Nancy (Dave McCurdy) Hyser of Rockton, and Beth (Elmer) Nelson of Belvidere; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brothers Robert (Jean), Gerald (Loretta), and Wayne Hyser; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Predeceased by his parents.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Anderson's Animal Rescue in South Elgin.