Samuel “Sam” Powell, age 90, of Knoxville, Illinois, passed away at his home on March 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on July 4, 1935, in Saint Mary’s, Illinois, to Ernest and Lera (Phillips) Powell, Sam married Wilberta “Bertie” George on January 1, 1954, in Williamsfield, Illinois. The couple shared a devoted marriage that spanned more than seven decades.
Sam began working for ADM at the age of eighteen and retired forty-seven years later as Plant Supervisor. A longtime active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Galesburg, he found joy in square dancing, camping, attending his grandchildren’s events, motorcycling in his younger years, and watching Indy car racing.
He is survived by his wife, Bertie Powell of Knoxville; his children, Connie Sue Becker of St. Ann, Missouri, Ben Powell of LaVerne, California, Jane (Steve Nelson) Powell of Galesburg, Illinois, and Vicki (Michael) Crawford of Georgetown, Kentucky; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, three sisters, Mildred, June, and Helen, one brother, Ronald, one grandchild, Heath Alfaro, one son-in-law, Van Becker, and one daughter-in-law, Sharon Powell.
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