George F. Fanning, 84, of Tilton passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville. He was born on February 15, 1942 in Milford, a son of George C. and Hester (Singleton Teske) Fanning. He married Jean L. Compton on June 23, 1958 in Watseka and she preceded him in death on October 17, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gloria Bell and Josephine Fellows; and one daughter, Lucretia Chamberlain.
He is survived by two sons, George V. (Donna) Fanning of Watseka and Fredrick V. Fanning of Sheldon; five grandchildren, Angelia A. Chamberlain, Teresa Blacker, Jamie Wallace, Brittany Fanning and Aaron Fanning; and his significant other, Roselie Hardy of Tilton.
George served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was a member of the Hoopeston American Legion Post #0384. He was the former Illinois Secretary of State Police, former Milford Police Chief, and former Auxiliary Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2026 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford with Ed Highfill officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Hoopeston American Legion Post #0384.
Memorials may be made to the Hoopeston American Legion Post #0384.
Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.
Please share a memory of George at knappfuneralhomes.com.
