Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Randall E. Mortland (Morty), 58, of East Alton, IL passed away after his short battle with lung cancer on August 24th, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family and friends.

Randy was born on September 4, 1954 to Lester L. and Helen “Bunny” (Fischer) Mortland of Alton, IL.

He married Debbie (Allsman) McGee on July 29, 2013.

Randy was a proud graduate of East Alton Wood River High School, Class of 1972. After working for a short time at Federal Steel he began his career as a firefighter. He served on the East Alton Fire Department for 35 years. He worked his way up through the ranks, becoming Lieutenant in 1989, Captain in 2000, he was IAFF Local 2333 President for 17 years, and on Jan. 1, 2006 he became Fire Chief. He loved serving his community. He retired in November 2012. In April of 2013, voters elected him as Village Trustee.

Randy was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and FBI Car Club.

Randy spent much of his free time at the dirt tracks in Indiana. He loved going to USAC Sprint and Midget races and POWRI Midget races. Even traveling to other states, no matter what track we went to, everyone knew and loved “Morty.” His racing family meant the world to him. The ongoing joke was him saying, “I can always find my car after the race.” Followed by, Debbie saying, “That’s because we are always the last ones to leave.” He never met a stranger and went from one person to the next, talking about racing and telling old stories.

Surviving are his wife, Debbie Mortland of East Alton, A son, Drew and (Laurie) Mortland, a soon to be grand-daughter Josephine (Joey) Mortland of East Alton, A step son Seth and (Kayla) McGee of Broken Arrow, OK, a step daughter, Cassi McGee of East Alton, a brother, Greg and (Lana) Mortland of Rosewood Heights, Sister-in-Law Judy Mortland of Alton, Aunt Elizabeth “Betty” (Mortland) Fisher, Niece, Amy and (Tim) Cadigan of Glen Carbon, Nephews Rob and (Lynn) Helmkamp of Glen Carbon, Brad and (Donna) Mortland of Godfrey, Dean and (Tami) Mortland of Alton. He was loved dearly by his great nieces and nephews and one great-great nephew. He loved his two basset hounds Otis and Ellie.

In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his brother, William “Bill” Mortland.

To sum Randy up in a nutshell - A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.

In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 1pm to 8pm on Friday, August 30, 2013, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River with an Uniformed Firefighter walkthrough at 7pm. Visitation will continue from 9am until time of funeral services at 10am on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at the East Alton Middle School Gymnasium, 1000 Third Street, East Alton, Illinois 62024. Pastor Daryl Dolbee will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to GABR which is the Guardian Angel Bassett Rescue or to the education fund for his expectant granddaughter Josephine Mortland in care of Drew Mortland.

What happened there???

I don't know why it posted like that for you but can read it by highlighting it. Here's the copy/paste:

Randall E. Mortland (Morty), 58, of East Alton, IL passed away after his short battle with lung cancer on August 24th, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family and friends.

Randy was born on September 4, 1954 to Lester L. and Helen “Bunny” (Fischer) Mortland of Alton, IL.

He married Debbie (Allsman) McGee on July 29, 2013.

Randy was a proud graduate of East Alton Wood River High School, Class of 1972. After working for a short time at Federal Steel he began his career as a firefighter. He served on the East Alton Fire Department for 35 years. He worked his way up through the ranks, becoming Lieutenant in 1989, Captain in 2000, he was IAFF Local 2333 President for 17 years, and on Jan. 1, 2006 he became Fire Chief. He loved serving his community. He retired in November 2012. In April of 2013, voters elected him as Village Trustee.

Randy was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and FBI Car Club.

Randy spent much of his free time at the dirt tracks in Indiana. He loved going to USAC Sprint and Midget races and POWRI Midget races. Even traveling to other states, no matter what track we went to, everyone knew and loved “Morty.” His racing family meant the world to him. The ongoing joke was him saying, “I can always find my car after the race.” Followed by, Debbie saying, “That’s because we are always the last ones to leave.” He never met a stranger and went from one person to the next, talking about racing and telling old stories.

Surviving are his wife, Debbie Mortland of East Alton, A son, Drew and (Laurie) Mortland, a soon to be grand-daughter Josephine (Joey) Mortland of East Alton, A step son Seth and (Kayla) McGee of Broken Arrow, OK, a step daughter, Cassi McGee of East Alton, a brother, Greg and (Lana) Mortland of Rosewood Heights, Sister-in-Law Judy Mortland of Alton, Aunt Elizabeth “Betty” (Mortland) Fisher, Niece, Amy and (Tim) Cadigan of Glen Carbon, Nephews Rob and (Lynn) Helmkamp of Glen Carbon, Brad and (Donna) Mortland of Godfrey, Dean and (Tami) Mortland of Alton. He was loved dearly by his great nieces and nephews and one great-great nephew. He loved his two basset hounds Otis and Ellie.

In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his brother, William “Bill” Mortland.

To sum Randy up in a nutshell - A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.

In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 1pm to 8pm on Friday, August 30, 2013, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River with an Uniformed Firefighter walkthrough at 7pm. Visitation will continue from 9am until time of funeral services at 10am on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at the East Alton Middle School Gymnasium, 1000 Third Street, East Alton, Illinois 62024. Pastor Daryl Dolbee will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to GABR which is the Guardian Angel Bassett Rescue or to the education fund for his expectant granddaughter Josephine Mortland in care of Drew Mortland.

....Opperman forever!

I copied and pasted too.Dont know why it came out like that. Thanks for adding it though.

People here ftom the earlier days of Hoseheads message board would remember Morty's posts as Mortboyz.  Morty was a great guy,always smiling and with a ton of stories. Since he told me earlier this year that he had Cancer, I made it a point to stop in  and see him,either at his wifes bakery,or at their house in East Alton,the Hospital in St Louis,and a couple different times at Little Belleville for POWRi midgets.

His viewing is today at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River,and the funeral is tomorrow at the East Alton Middle School gymnasium at 10am

Looking for Morty was always a highpoint at any event.He always knew everybody and what was happening.We will look forward to seeing you,Morty..........down the road.
Rest in peace.

Bud's Bride

Pretty sure I remember some get togethers at Terre Rut back in the day, always seemed to be havin' fun, best wished to Drew and the family....