Funeral services for Gordon B. "Gordy" Cornelius, 79, of Hampton, IL, will be 10 am Friday, January 20, 2023, at Hampton Grace United Methodist Church, Hampton. Funeral services will be live-streamed at 10AM Friday at: https://www.facebook.com/VanHoeFuneralHome

Burial will be in Hampton Cemetery, Hampton. Visitation will be 3-7 pm Thursday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. Mr. Cornelius passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Illini Restorative Care Center, Silvis, IL.

Gordy was born February 17, 1943, in Springfield, IL, the son of Ivan and S. Lauretta (White) Cornelius. He married Cynthia "Cindy" Schreiner June 18, 1966, in East Moline. He received his B.S., M.S. and Ed.S. from Western Illinois University. He started as a Mathematics Teacher at United Township High School, North Campus, from 1965-1979, he then became the Assistant Principal from 1979-1983, Associate Principal until 1985, Principal U.T.H.S South Campus 1985-1997 and Assistant Superintendent/Principal U.T.H.S until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of the Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Illinois Principals Association, National Staff Development Council, Phi Delta Kappa, Education League of Illinois, and River Valley Curriculum Association. He served as Past Chairman for the Youth Service Bureau, Past President for the Exchange Club of East Moline-Silvis, Past Chairman for the Hampton Methodist Church Administrative Council and Trustee Chairman, Past Chairman for the School Health Link Advisory Board, a Trustee for the School Health Link, East Moline Citizens Advisory

Board. Member of United Township High School Hall of Fame Board, United Way Allocation Committee, United Township High School Citizen Advisory Committee, United Township High School Booster Club, and ALCOA Scholarship Committee.

He received the Illinois Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Recognition Award, Denny Jacobs Public Safety Service Award, Illinois Principals Association Black Hawk Division Herman Graves Service Award, and the United Township High School/John Deere Harvester Special Recognition Award. Gordy was an inspiration to his family, colleagues, students, and friends. He was a loving husband, father, papa, and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy; daughter, Beth (Rich) Fontaine; son, Jeff Cornelius and his wife; 7 grandchildren; and a brother, Marion (Phyllis) Cornelius.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Hampton Grace Methodist Church PO Box 128, Hampton, IL, 61256 or the UTHS Foundation 1275 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline, Illinois, 61244

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com