Illinois farmer takes last hay wagon ride

ONEIDA, Ill. — Sixty-seven-year-old Knox County resident Larry Stewart took over the family farm at age 15 and was a farmer all his life.

And because of his pride in his farming — as well as his well-developed sense of humor — his family decided to give Stewart a farmer’s funeral.

Stewart died Saturday at his home in Altona, and his three daughters decided he wouldn’t have wanted a hearse. They arranged for his body to be transported Thursday to Oneida Cemetery on a hay rack. The wagon was pulled by a a red-and-black Case IH 125 Maxxum tractor.

About 20 cars filled with friends and family followed the hay wagon.

Tags: livestock, crops, agribusiness, farm, agriculture, illinois, hay