Alan Fletcher

Beloved husband, loving father and grandfather, Alan Harold Fletcher, 79, passed away at home with the care and support of his family on November 28, 2024.  Alan’s strength and determination drove him to recover from losing a lung to cancer in 2002 as a result of Agent Orange exposure in Viet Nam, but his resilience was not enough to win the battle of his second diagnosis of the same disease.

He was born on April 8, 1945, the third of four children to Carol Raymond Fletcher and Marjorie Earl Fletcher.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Philip Fletcher and his sister Carol Lynn Fletcher Ohls. 

Alan graduated from Central High School, class of 1963 and followed his strong sense of duty by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He completed basic training at USMC San Diego and was deployed to Viet Nam where he served in offensive operations and as a tank commander from 1964 to 1966. 

Upon his return, Alan joined the United Transportation Union and worked as a Brakeman/Conductor for the Illinois Central Railroad for 25 years.  He returned to college at the age of 45 to pursue a political science degree from the University of Illinois. Alan was a dedicated health and fitness enthusiast who rarely missed a day of exercise.  He was known by the regular gym attendees as “Sarge”, a nickname reflecting his rank in the Marines and given to him by his dear friend Lou Dalton. 

Alan was a humble, quiet, and serious man of honor who never liked to be the center of attention.  He was committed to his values and remained steadfast in his convictions:  a man who loved and respected his country, the flag, and the Marine Corps.   He did not socialize nor tolerate fools but being a good person made you his friend for life.  Alan’s name stood for who he was and how he wanted to be remembered when it was mentioned.  He was a man of his word, and his word was always sealed with a firm handshake.

Alan loved Cardinal baseball, watching football with his family, and pitching horseshoes as well as hunting and snowmobiling in the upper peninsula with his longtime friend and co-worker Doug (Sharon Ervin) Hershbarger.  Alan and his wife enjoyed hiking with their shelties (Chaise, Chelsea, Scout, Ruthie, and Tre) and protecting nature for future generations. He valued life and being a part of it. Alan’s quick, dry wit and easy laugh will be remembered by all who experienced it.   

Alan married Kathryn Konhorst Fletcher (Centralia) on October 29, 1979. They were only able to share a loving and fulfilling partnership for 45 years of marriage due to his untimely death.  He is survived by his wife Kathryn, two sons Mathew Alan (Marci) Fletcher of Farmington, Illinois and John Paul (Leah) Fletcher of Acworth Georgia; six grandchildren:  Caroline, Jack, Samuel, Logan, Staff Sergeant Samuel Colton (Sydney) Fletcher USMC and Estella. Also surviving is Alan’s youngest brother Randy (Linda) Fletcher, nephew Daniel Fletcher, Urbana, and niece Emily Fletcher (Andrew) Harrington, Champaign.   

The family will be forever grateful to the Urbana Fire Department, the Carle ED, the nursing staff, and the numerous doctors who attentively cared for him over the past six months.

As per Alan’s wishes, there will be no visitation or services but a future gathering to celebrate his life will be scheduled sometime in the early fall of 2025. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the organization of your choice or one of Alan’s favorites:  Gary Sinise Foundation (Garysinisefoundation.org), St. Jude Children's Hospital (Stjude.org), or Natural Resource Defense Council (Nrdcinfo@nrdc.org).

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