Published on May 21, 2025 7:05 am
Last Updated on May 21, 2025 9:12 am
Dr. Marshall (Doc) V. Slingerland DVM(ret.) 92, was called home on February 4, 2025 from his toils here on earth with his daughter, Sharon by his side.
As per Doc’s wishes, he was cremated with his ashes to be scattered in and around Trowbridge. So, a celebration of life is being planned for June 7, 2025 at Schmidt Park, in Altamont Illinois in the Lions Club addition and the American Legion pavilion from 4:00 PM till 9:00 PM. As Doc wished, a German Theme celebration with brats, German potato salad, sauerkraut, and red cabbage to enjoy and also Polka Music in the background. So, bring a chair and your beverage of choice and reminisce about “Ole Doc” and say Auf Wiedersehen, with family and friends. For more info call Todd, 217-202-9164.
Dr. Marshall V. Slingerland was born September 9, 1932 in Weslaco Texas, to Henry and Dorthy Slingerland, he was welcomed by his sisters Shirley and Beverly. The Slingerland move to the Little town of Poag, Illinois where younger sister Nancy was born and Doc grew up helping around the farm and this is where he became interested in the functioning of the animals, especially horses, his lifelong passion. Doc graduated from Granite City High School, then to Eastern Illinois University, and finally to the University of Illinois where in 1957, he became the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in which we all have known and used his unique style of understanding animals.
Doc started the Altamont Veterinary Hospital in the City of Altamont in that year after his sister Shirley settled here and encouraged him to come. The Altamont Veterinary Hospital moved to the Rt. 40 location in the early 60’s and Doc operated it till 1987. While in Altamont, Doc was a member with; Altamont Chamber of Congress, Effingham County Fair Board, and the Altamont Schuetzenfest, where he was the President for 18 years. He also was a member of the AVMA and the USTA.
Doc went out west to Arizona for a couple of years , then came back to the little, and I do mean little, town of Trowbridge Illinois and started working with longtime acquaintance Dr. Steve Sowers and the Effingham Veterinary Clinic, where Doc finished his practicing of Vet Med, after 55 years, in 2012.
Back to his other passion in Trowbridge, gardening and keeping a couple of horses and one donkey, so there was always two asses present when you stopped by!!
Doc is survived by his daughter, Sharon from St. Louis and son Todd(Carrie Jo) in Altamont and daughter Marci(Phil) Gallagher from Macon GA,. Also Granddaughter Zoey(Luke) Mitchell from St. Elmo and grandson Toby Slingerland St. Elmo a Great Granddaughter Oakleigh Mitchell, and Granddaughter Nyxie Gallagher.
Those going home before Doc: Henry and Dorthy, Beverly, Shirley, and Nancy, and infant Daughter Debbie.