"Dear Beth and family, I have such fond memories of being with Helen and Hearl on the sheep farm in Canton. I loved sleeping in your canopy bed and spending days at the farm with them. I met Helen when I went back to Bradley in 1971. She sat next to me at Orientation and we were friends ever since. Helen was such a blessing and I was most fortunate to have met her, which then led to my meeting Hearl. I have so many fond memories of my time with them! Hearl teaching me to play golf, showing me his garden and just the wonderful conversations we would have at meal time. His homemade applesauce too! Words cannot express how much you and your family mean to me. I still miss Helen to this very day and I always will. I am grateful that Helen and Hearl are together again and I believe that they are smiling down on all of us now. We now have two angels looking after us. Much love, Mary Ann"
In loving memory of
Hearl C. Bishop
December 24, 1920 - September 26, 2015
Former Spoon River College President, Hearl C. Bishop, passes away at the age of 94.
Hearl Bishop
Canton Hearl C. Bishop passed away on September 26, 2015. At the time of his passing, he was a resident of Farmington Country Manor, Farmington, IL. Mr. Bishop was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Ilene (Dickey) Bishop in 2000. They had been married since 1946. He is survived by sons, Dan Bishop (Connie Huttes Bishop), Jack Bishop (Karla Hatcher Bishop), and his daughter, Beth Chapman (Philip Chapman). Grandchildren, Amy Deakin, Emily Deakin Harmony (Faron Harmony), Jennifer Bishop (Justin Hood), Katie Bishop, Matt (Amy Johns Chapman) and Nikki Chapman. Along with great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Deakin, Dustin, Jadlyn, Victoria, and Faron Harmony, Hunter Hood, and Parker and Maggie Chapman. Also, survived by two brothers, Bill (Paducah, KY) and Bruce Bishop; and sister, Louise (Bishop) Eastwood from Southern Illinois.
Mr. Bishop was born in Karnak, IL, a small town in Southern IL, December 24, 1920. He attended Southern Illinois University where he received his BA degree and Masters in Education. He was the Agriculture teacher at Eldorado High School, from 1946-1961. He then advanced his career into education administration. He was hired as the Assistant Principal at Ridgeway High School, Ridgeway, IL for two years.
He moved his family North and continued in the administration field as Principal at Mahomet-Seymour High School, Mahomet, IL, 1963-1966. While working in the school district, he worked on his doctorate in Business Administration at University of Illinois.
In 1966, his career brought him to Canton, IL. He was hired as the Dean of Canton Community College, which was located in the downtown area. He was the pioneer, along with the valued assistance of Dr. William Taylor and Harold Swartzbaugh, with many supporters who worked tirelessly for two years to realize a successful referendum to see CCC rise to a Class I Junior College status in 1968. The community junior college would become known as Spoon River College. Groundbreaking began in 1972, for the new campus on the outskirts of Canton. Mr. Bishop was named the first President while with the college, continuing his work until his retirement in 1978.
The dedication of Mr. Bishops endeavor for higher education inspired growth with three satellite campuses in Central IL in the cities of Macomb, Rushville, and Havana, after his retirement.
He enjoyed his days of leisure golfing with friends and challenging rounds with his sons. The three enjoyed fishing locally; and trips out West which proved to be adventurous for the threesome. He enjoyed playing billiards at the Canton Senior Center. He lived his life to the fullest and was a pillar in the Canton community.
Visitation will be at the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home, 1601 E. Chestnut St., Canton, IL, Friday evening, October 2, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services, 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 3, will be at Wesley United Methodist Church, 120 N. Ave A, Canton, IL. Graveside services will follow at Shields Chapel Cemetery and a luncheon will be served at the church afterwards.
Mr. Bishop resided on West Maple Street in Canton, IL. Mailing address is c/o Beth Chapman, 109 Pleasant St. PO Box 176, Emden, IL 62635.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Canton Senior Center at Big Creek Park.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com
Tributes
"Mr. Bishop was my Ag teacher at Eldorado 1953-1957 and i enjoyed his teaching very much. i now live in Harrisburg, IL I worked for Tractor Supply and also Lowes home Improvement Kenneth w. Smith"
"Thank you, Maralyn. Seems so surreal, and yet I know dad is in a better place. He went quietly into the night and is now at peace. Thank you so much for your note, so much appreciated. Sincerely, Beth"
"From what I remember, Dad was quite the task master in his Ag class. The one day he had to have me tag along, he meant business in all to pay attention. lol... He did love to hunt, too. AND, we all loved the quail when he brought them home for dinner. Thank you for your note, so much appreciated. Sincerely, Beth Chapman and the Bishop Family"
"Tisha (W) K!! :D Thank you so much. Dad is finally at peace and able to rejoin mom. At least, I like to think of it that way. He went peacefully into the night and finally at rest. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Love from here, Beth"
"Thank you. He will be missed in many ways, but God love him, he is at peace now. Sincerely, Beth Chapman and the Bishop Family."
"Thank you, Marcia. When I was in fifth grade, was when I remember dad going to Ridgeway. All I remembered was him being hired as Asst. Principal. :D Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to research thoroughly. All I remember is Dan going to school over at Ridgeway, which seemed quircky to me at the time. But thanks for the information, much appreciated ~ His sister, Beth"
"Danny I was a classmate of yours at Ridgway High. Saw your dad's obit yesterday. Sorry for your loss. Your name came up and we had no way to find you for our 50 year class reunion at Ridgway. Your dad was the principal at Ridgway High in 1960-61 and in 1961-62 and he was superintendent in 1962-63. He may have been an assistant principal before that but I went to New Haven and do not have the Ridgway yearbooks from elementary school. I checked the yearbooks to get this information. The picture you used looks exactly like his yearbook picture. You were blessed to have him for such a long time. Blessings to you and your family. Marcia McGuire Allen"
"Dan, Jack and Beth, I'm truly sad to hear of the passing of your father ... a good man, that lived a full life. I will be remembering all of you in my prayers."
"Dan, Jack and Beth-- How saddened I was to learn of your Dad's passing. I will always have such fond memories of him and your Mom. What a wonderful obituary in the newspaper-quite a tribute to a special man. Will keep you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Tisha Kasiar"
"Mr. Bishop was my Ag Teacher at Eldorado which I enjoyed Ag and FFA very much. He influenced many young lives. I did a lot of quail hunting with him on our farm. I now live in Springfield, IL in the Rochester School Dist. and visited with Dave Jostes about Mr. Bishop. God Bless David Gaines Coontz"
"To the Bishop children, especially Beth: My sincere sympathy on the loss of your father. He was a great contributor to the community of Canton."