Victor Roger Basil Issert carefully parked his beloved 1206 tractor in the tool shed for the last time on 10 March 2023, after having packed so much into his life since his birth on 12 June 1933, in Kankakee. His parents, Jules and Marie Ange (Fortin) Issert, nurtured and instilled morals and strong work ethics in him, along with his sister, Therese, and brothers, Leon and Tony, on the family farm in Peotone Township.
Dad raised Chester White hogs and show hens, along with working the farm. Many times, these animals were blue ribbon and grand champion winners in the Will and Kankakee County Fairs, and Pops was quite proud of this.
It didn’t take Dad and Mom long to start their family once they graduated from Peotone High School in 1951. Pa earned extra money for his young family while farming and as a custom fertilizer applicator. He was not content with that, so he built and operated the first hand-operated carwash in Joliet in 1965. The love of the outdoors, farming, and raising livestock refocused his efforts, and his energy was poured into the family farm on Ballou Road in Wilmington.
How he enjoyed raising Hereford, Shorthorn, and Angus cattle. Calves sprinting about were one of the things that slowed Dad down and brought a smile to his face. He continued farming into his mid-eighties. How many times would people pass Victor and wave, as he drove that red six-wheeler all over several Illinois counties? Fifty plus years have been shared with family and friends at the “Ballou Cabin,” with glorious memories. If you wanted something created from wood, Dad was your man. Look around at various family farms and homes and you will spy one of his creations.
How Dad loved his family, including his five children, Stephen (Debbie) Issert, Denise Marie (Rick Smith) Issert, Phillip Issert, Jeffry (Jan) Issert, and Joel (Angie) Issert; 13 grandchildren, Janene (Jon Floyd) Issert, Raechel (Eric) Girardot, Lauren (JJ) Schmidt, Andy (Tiffany) Harned Pilbeam, Jared Pilbeam, Hayley Marie-Ange (Greg) Henke, Garret Victor (Cara) Pilbeam, Brittany (Jong) Kim, Ian (Kelly) Issert, Paige Issert (Aaron Medina), Sean Jeffry Issert (Taylor Lawless), Alex Issert (Tyler Rys), and Tyler Issert (Nicole Simmons); 19 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Benjamin Stephen, and Caleb Victor Floyd, Amelia Marie and Gage Girardot, Owen and Evan Schmidt, Grace, Gunner, Keely Jynna Marie, and Scotland Henke, Finley Pilbeam, Avery Rogowski, Jacobie, Paxton, and Leo Kim, Ian, Ryker, and Rowan Issert; his big brother, Leon Issert; and also many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Marie (Barthelme) Issert.
Funeral services were held on March 17, including a drive past the Ballou Farm to West Peotone Cemetery, where he rests in a small country cemetery in Peotone Township, facing the same rising sun he saw each morning as he grew up, and his children saw each morning as they grew up a half mile down the gravel road.
In his memory, donations may be made to Uplifted Care Hospice of Kankakee County, who were awesome with Pa. In lieu of flowers, as he wouldn’t want that, “Save your money. Plant a garden and raise some beautiful tomatoes instead,” he would say. He would love that, and please make an effort to thank a farmer!
Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs, and share Victor’s memorial page online. Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington.