Samuel R. “Sam” Tull

Samuel Ray “Sam” Tull, 64, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Linda Trent officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home.  Burial will be later in Bethany Cemetery, near Assumption, IL.  Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield, IL or Cancer Care Specialists in Decatur, IL.

Sam was born on December 26, 1959, in Findlay, OH, the son of Gaylord Ray and Roma Eileen (Riedel) Tull.  Gaylord passed away at an early age and Roma married William “Bill” Baird, who became like a father to Sam.  Sam graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1979.  He worked for Johnston’s IGA and County Market both in Shelbyville for many years.  He later worked at Dollar General in Pana, IL until his retirement.  Sam was affiliated with the Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, IL. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and enjoyed Civil War history.  Sam married Pamela Jo Wemple on February 2, 1985, in Henton, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Pam; sons, Joshua Ray Tull (Dawn) of Muskegon, MI and Christopher Andrew Tull of Shelbyville, IL; brothers, Douglas Tull of Dallas, TX and Randy Baird (Marcy) of Shelbyville, IL; sister, Gayla Stirewalt (Todd) of Highland, IL; sister-in-law, Chris Tull of Fishers, IN and Marla Baird of North Carolina;  four grandchildren, Jasmine, Kyler, Kaleb and Julia Tull; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his fathers, Gaylord Tull and William “Bill” Baird; brothers, Kenneth Tull and Terry Baird; sister, Sonya Butler (Ray); and great niece, Susan Baird.