Harland H. Hector, Sr.

Harland H. Hector, Sr., 74, of Seneca, passed away on December 15, 2011 at Walnut Grove Village in Morris, Illinois with his loving family present. Masonic services for Harland will begin at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2011, with the Funeral Service immediately following at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home. Visitation will be 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home. Cremation rites will be accorded. Harland was born in Oak Park, Illinois on October 31, 1937, to Olaf Gustav and Jennie Marie (Johnson) Hector. He attended schools in Chicago. He retired in middle management from Ameritech (Illinois Bell) in 1990 with 34 years of service. Harland married Mary Patricia McKenna in 1969. They loved to travel and went on two world cruises. They visited Antarctica in 2001 and flew the Concorde, N.Y.C. to London in 2002. For his work on Enhanced 9-1-1 since 1981, he was awarded the 29th Hall of Fame-Life Membership in the National Emergency Number Association. He was Building Inspector, Zoning Enforcement Officer, Plan Commission Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Village of Seneca and served for 20 years as the Chairman of the Seneca Emergency Telephone System Board (9-1-1). Harland was active with the Masonic Family. He was a Past Master of Occidental Masonic Lodge #40 of Ottawa. Also Past Excellent High Priest of Shabbona Chapter #37 Royal Arch Masons, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Oriental Council #13 of Cryptic Masons, Eminent Past Commander of Ottawa Commandery #10 of the Knights Templar, and was a Past Eminent Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of the State of Illinois. Also many years as Associate Bethel Guardian #52 of Jobs Daughters in Ottawa and as Chairman of the Advisory Council of Order of DeMolay for young men. He enjoyed being a Shrine Clown for many years. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary of 41 years; two stepsons, James B. (Terri) McKenna, and Jerald B. (Sandra) McKenna, both of Springfield; two sons, Harland H. Jr. (Kathryn) Hector of West Dundee and Allyn G. (Donna) Hector of Keller, Texas; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family for future distribution.