Harold Gordon "Gordon" Birckelbaw, Jr. — November 9, 1936 — November 10, 2025

Gordon died peacefully at Serenity Estates in Freeport, Illinois on November 10, 2025, at the age of 89. He was born to Harold Sr. and Lydia (Kohler) Birckelbaw at Brokaw Hospital in Normal, IL. Gordon spent his youth on the family farm in Colfax, IL, and was proud to represent his 4-H club at the Illinois State Fair with his prize-winning hog. He attended small rural schools until his junior year of high school, when the family moved to Bloomington, IL. There, he finished school and discovered his love of motorcycles after buying a scooter with money earned from his part-time job at a local gas station.

Much to the surprise—and consternation—of his mother, Gordon enlisted in the Navy during his senior year of high school with his buddy, Ronnie Jones. Because he was only 17, his mother had to give written permission. After graduating from Bloomington High School in the spring of 1954, he attended Navy boot camp in Great Lakes, IL, in September 1954, followed by service during the Korean War era aboard the USS Walton as an Electrician's Mate.

Following his active duty, Gordon worked at La Salle Electrical Utilities Company in La Salle-Peru, IL, where he met his future wife, Z. Kay (Smith). He and Kay were married on October 30, 1960. Active in the First Southern Baptist Church, Gordon volunteered in helping to build a new church building and in moving the pastor into the parsonage. In 1965, he moved with his family to Freeport, IL, after accepting a position at Micro Switch, a division of Honeywell, where he worked in the Test Equipment Unit as a technician and later a manager, retiring after 34 years of employment. For many years, he also ran his own business, Gordon's Small Appliance Repair, from his basement workbench.

Gordon was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, where he helped install the sound system, served for many years as a sound technician, and coached the boys' basketball team. He later attended Park Hills Evangelical Free Church and took great joy in mowing and caring for the grounds. His love of farming continued through the time he spent helping on the Carter family farm. Gordon also enjoyed riding his motorcycle with friends and was especially proud of the award he received for restoring a 1964 Cushman Super Silver Eagle with the help of a neighbor.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Sr. and Lydia Birckelbaw; his aunt, Mae Kohler; and his brothers Joseph (Joan) and Kenneth. He is survived by his wife, Kay; their children, Karen Mitchell of Greer, SC, and Dave (Jill) Birckelbaw of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren Sharen (Ryan) Young, Hannah Birckelbaw, and Ruby Birckelbaw; and great-grandchildren Lewis, Lennon, and Gentry; step-grandchildren Dusty (Chris) Mitchell and Troy (Amber) Mitchell; step-great-grandchildren Taylor, Owen, Harper, Elijah, and Jonah; and his sister-in-law, Betty, the wife of his late brother Kenneth. He is also remembered by many nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

An ice cream social to celebrate Gordon's life is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church, Freeport, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org/donate