Christopher William Greer

Christopher “Chris” William Greer, 50, of Monticello, IL, passed away at 12:00 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Newman Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Newman, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Penn Station, 122 East Progress St., Arthur, IL. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Bement Township Cemetery, 1118 Illinois 105 Bement, IL. The Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola is assisting the family.

Chris was born on September 17, 1975, in Urbana, IL. He was the son of JoAnne “Jody” (Ross) McGrath and the late John McGrath, and Phil and Mary (Rosenow) Greer. He married Kristin Smith on August 12, 2006, at Allerton Park near Monticello, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Kristin, and two children, William “Will” and Macie, of Monticello, IL; his mother, Jody McGrath of Arthur, IL; his father, Phil Greer, and his wife, Mary, of Tunnel Hill, IL; four siblings, Megan McGrath of Tolono, IL, John Ryan McGrath of Houston, TX, Andrew Greer (Jennifer) of Carson City, NV, and David McGrath (Haley) of Arthur, IL; and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Chris was preceded in death by his stepfather, John McGrath; his maternal grandparents, William and Rita Ross; and his paternal grandparents, William and Willie (Lynn) Greer.

Chris graduated from Arthur High School in 1993. He went on to earn his B.S. degree in Agriculture Mechanization from Southern Illinois University. Chris worked for 17 years at the University of Illinois, where he was a Senior Research Specialist, starting with the Soybean Breeding Program and later moving to the Crop Sciences Department’s South Farm (CSREC) crew. He also assisted the USDA Weed Science Program. Chris was integral in designing and fabricating equipment that allowed the USDA to research water hemp seed destruction at harvest.

Chris spent the last nine years with Valent USA as a Field Operations Manager for MWARC in Seymour, IL. While at Valent USA, Chris designed and fabricated several equipment solutions that were patented. Chris was also an Agronomist and Certified Crop Advisor.

Above all, Chris took tremendous pride in building a family farming operation alongside Kristin, Will, and Macie. The time spent working alongside family and friends, cultivating and harvesting a crop on family land, was priceless. On the farm, his son Will was always close by, soaking in Chris’s love of farming, mechanical knowledge, and welding skills.

When Chris found time to get away, he headed straight to Southern Illinois. He shared many wonderful memories and hilarious stories of his Southern Illinois days. He loved visiting there for hunting trips, family time, and catching up with friends. Chris also treasured time with family in Hugo, IL, where he developed his passion for hunting and fishing. Chris lived many years near Ivesdale, IL, where he found lifelong friends and started a family. He also joined the Ivesdale Fire Department, becoming a volunteer fireman, first responder, and certified storm spotter.

Chris enjoyed shooting sports and was an active member of the Green Acres and Lake Fork Sportsmen’s Clubs.

Memorials may be made to Newman Rehabilitation and Health Care Center or the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern University.