Col. Glenn A. Israel (USA-Ret.) passed away Tuesday afternoon, November 28^, 2023, with family at his bedside. He had been fighting multiple illnesses this past year. Col. Israel was born on December 17, 1934, in Springfield, Missouri, to Cloice and Lucinda Israel. He graduated from Fair Grove High School and then attended Southwest Missouri State College, where he was also in the first class of the new ROTC department. He married his wife, Shirley Sue Gunter, in October 1955. They were married nearly 65 years until her passing in July 2020. Later in his career, while stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia, Col. Israel also received his Master’s degree in education from Virginia Sate College.

Col. Israel had two long and successful careers: as a 30-year veteran serving in the US Army Quartermaster Corp. and another 16 years as the Vice President of Operations for the NISH, a national nonprofit agency that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. After retiring from his second career in 1996, he and Sue returned to Greene County, where they both grew up, and built a home outside of Walnut Grove. Although retired, Col. Israel got right to work with multiple organizations in and around Springfield and was very active in his church, Mount Comfort Church.

Col. Israel was always very proud to have served his country and then to have worked with the disable and helping to set up workshops, both attesting to his sense of duty. He was inducted into the Quartermaster Hall of Fame, Class of 2020, where he was very grateful to have been recognized with this honor.

Below is the text that was included in his induction ceremony:

Colonel Israel was commissioned through the ROTC Program at Southwest Missouri State College into the Quartermaster Corps.  As was the policy at the time, he was detailed into Artillery. He served as a Platoon Leader of 280mm Atomic Cannon Platoon in Germany.  Upon completion of his branch detail, he was assigned to the 35^th Quartermaster Battalion and began his long career as a Quartermaster officer.

During his 24 years of service as a Quartermaster officer, his assignments took him to Germany, Korea, Okinawa, and Vietnam.  He progressed through positions of increasing responsibility.  He was a Company Executive Officer, Aide-de-Camp, Company Commander, Chief, Small Purchase Division, Defense Industrial Supply Center,  Chief of Stock Control, 2^nd Logistics Command, Military Assistance Command-Vietnam Logistics Advisor, Chief, Defense Contract Administration Service Office, Battalion Commander, Deputy Commander, Korean Procurement Agency, Chief, Involuntary Separations, Enlisted Directorate, Military Personnel Center, Acting Chief, Procurement Division Defense Logistics Agency.  After retirement, he worked for the National Institute for the Severely Handicapped, progressing from Project Engineer to the Vice President for Operations.

 Colonel Israel was known throughout his career as an officer of integrity and kindness.  He truly portrays the professional and personal image of a Quartermaster officer.

Col. Israel is survived by his son, David and wife Tracey; his daughter, Nancy; and his grandson, Jackson; plus numerous family members across Greene County and beyond.

A visitation for Col. Israel will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield. A funeral service, including full military honors, will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, 1:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. At a later date, Col. Israel will be laid to rest next to his wife at Mt. Comfort Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Col. Israel’s memory to the Mt. Comfort Church Missions Fund.