CHARLES L. GOSSAGE
(1929-2003)
SOUTH PEKIN - Charles LeRoy Gossage, 74, of 209 Birkett St. died at 7 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2003 at Pekin Hospital.
Born February 20, 1929 in Chicago to R.W. and Margaret M. Atteberry Gossage, he married Flossine Reed on May 1, 1948 in Benton, IL.
Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, Lonnie (Kiki) Gossage of Delavan and Gary D. (Dawn) Gossage of Plant City, FL; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, JoAnna (Leon) Winkler of Festus, MO; and 1 brother, Loyce (Joann) Gossage of Pleasant Hills, CA.
He was preceded in death by 1 grandson.
Mr. Gossage was employed by Caterpillar, Inc. in East Peoria for 29 years, retiring on April 3, 1993 as a supervisor in Building LL.
He was a member of the South Pekin Congregational Church and its Men's Club.
He was a former member of the Caterpillar Fishing Club, the South Pekin Grade School Board and the South Pekin Village Board. He enjoyed bass fishing.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. Rev. Tom Cone will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, April 7, 2003 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the South Pekin Congregational Church.
VIRGINIA EWEN
(1932-2003)
PEKIN - Virginia Ewen, 70, of 318 South Capitol Street, died at 10:07 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2003 at Pekin Manor.
Born December 19, 1932 in West Plains, Missouri to Steve and Opal Swecker Savage, she married Roy Leland Ewen on September 23, 1951 in Peoria. He survives.
Also surviving are her mother of Pekin; three daughters, Sandy (Harold) Hudson of Pekin, Nancy (Paul) Stanley of Dallas, Texas and Barbara (Bill) Dooley of Denver, Colorado; six grandchildren and one sister, Betty Lou Tucker of Morton.
Her father preceded her in death.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Ewen was a 52-year member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Pekin.
She loved embroidery, reading, cooking and was known for her hospitality.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2003 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Pekin. The Rev. Greg Mason will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Burial will be in Craft Cemetery in rural Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of the Nazarene, 3514 Broadway Road, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
MELANIE L. GIFFORD
(1958-2003)
SOUTH PEKIN - Melanie Laurie Gifford, 45, of 107 4th Street in South Pekin, died at 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2003 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born January 16, 1958 in Gainesville, Florida to Leland and Francile Keith Waters, she married Carl L. Gifford on June 16, 1990 in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
Surviving are her husband of South Pekin; her parents of Cullowhee, North Carolina; one niece, Elizabeth M. McLeod and one nephew, Robert E. McLeod, both of Kinards, South Carolina.
In 1980 she had earned her Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement and in 1989 earned her Bachelor of Science degree in therapeutic recreation, both from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
Melanie last worked at St. Joseph's Home in West Peoria in the activity department in 1999. She previously worked many years as a police officer and as the first female deputy sheriff in Columbia County, Georgia.
She was a member of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation and a life member of the National Rifle Association.
She was a member of the Court Street Church of Christ in Pekin.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Louis Vernon Compton will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before services Saturday at the funeral home. Cremation will be accorded.
Memorial contributions may be made to the NRA-ILA (National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action), 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 4516 North Sterling, Peoria, Illinois 61615.
JOHN R. "JACK" DAVIS
(1932-2003)
PEKIN - John Robert "Jack" Davis, 70, of 1519 Henry St. died at 9:24 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2003 at the East Pasco Medical Center in Zephyrhills, Florida.
Born June 27, 1932 in Waukegan, IL to John Francis and Gladys Irene Hesselgrave Davis, he married Betty Louise Jenkins on December 23, 1950 in Gages Lake, Illinois.
Surviving are his wife; 2 daughters, Candace L. (Darrell) Lohnes of Pekin and Sheri L. Uhlman of East Peoria; 3 sons, Michael J. (Debbie) Davis of Mattoon, Tracy W. Davis of Pekin, and Mark A. Davis of Raiford, Florida; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. Jean Freiwald of Zephyrhills, Florida.
He was preceded in death by one brother.
Mr. Davis was employed by Caterpillar, Inc. in East Peoria for 20 years, retiring in 1992 from quality control. Previously, he had been a roofer for 20 years, mostly for Pekin Roofing.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-53. He was a member and past commander of both the Roy L. King V.F.W. Post #1232 and the George M. Maple Memorial Amvets Post #235, both in Pekin. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge in Zephyrhills, Florida.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. Rev. Quinn McKenzie will officiate. Burial will be with full military honors at Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2003 at the funeral home.
Family and friends will gather for food and fellowship at the George M. Maple Memorial Amvets Post #235, 1426 S. 2nd St., Pekin, following services and burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hernando Pasco Hospice - East Pasco, 7066 Ft. King Rd., Zephryhills, Florida 33541.
M. LOUISE DIXON HALL
(1921-2003)
PEKIN - Mildred Louise Dixon Hall, 81, of 2017 Primrose Street in Pekin, died at 6:23 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2003 at the Methodist Medical Center of Illinois Emergency Room in Peoria. She was formerly of Ozark Acres, Arkansas.
Born July 20, 1921 on a family farm near Sullivan, Illinois to Frank Eugene and Hilda Lanore Duncan Harden, she married Paul R. Dixon on January 5, 1941 in Urbana. He died May 11, 1984 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She then married Wilbur C. Hall on March 30, 1986 in Pekin. He died April 21, 2002 in Batesville, Arkansas. Her twin brothers also preceded her in death.
Surviving are four daughters, Judy (Jerry) Dickson, Sandra (Gerald) Pullen and Patricia L. Dixon, all of Pekin and Barbara (Michael) Wells of Keller, Texas; two sons, James (Mary) Dixon of Miami, Florida and Donald (Melinda) Dixon of Grant Alabama; fifteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren and one sister, Shirley J. Truax of Avon Park, Florida.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of New Song Baptist Church in Williford, Arkansas.
She loved to sew for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed music, reading and spending time with her family.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Timothy Dearborn, her nephew, will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before services Monday at the funeral home.
Further services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2003 at New Song Baptist Church in Williford, Arkansas. The Rev. Glenn Smith will officiate. Burial in Baker Cemetery in Ozark Acres, Arkansas
Memorial contributions may be made to her church.
HERBERT E. OTT
(1928-2003)
PEORIA, IL - Herbert Ernest Ott, 74, of 433 North Amy Drive, died at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2003 at his residence.
Born July 17, 1928 in Amsterdam, New York to Herbert Karl and Anita Schmidtmann Ott, he married Velma Dorothy Bonham on September 21, 1985 in Joliet, Illinois. She survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Martin Ott of Brevard, North Carolina, Kevin Ott of Chicago and Greg (Heidrun) Ott of Germany; two step-sons, Kerry (Cheryl) Brown of Plainfield and Nicholas Elson of East Peoria; three step-daughters, Vickie (Bruce) Marshall of Plainfield, Rosemary (Mark) Skinner of Peoria and Christy (Andres) Pabon of Peoria; eighteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and two brothers, Rudy (Elsin) Ott and Ronald (Mary-Lou) Ott, both of Amsterdam, New York.
His parents preceded him in death.
A World War II Navy veteran, he participated in Operation Crossroads at Bikini Island following World War II in 1946.
Mr. Ott was a salesman for Bedroom Plaza from 1987 to 1993. He was a member and previously worked out of Carpenters Local No. 183 in Peoria for many years.
A member of Bellevue Bible Church, Mr. Ott was a former member of the Calvary Baptist Bible Church in Peoria, where he was a former Sunday school teacher and maintenance worker.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2003 at Bellevue Bible Church. The Rev. Frank Tipton will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before services Monday at the church. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, with military rites accorded by InterVeterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bellevue Bible Church, 505 South Main Street, Bellevue, IL 61604 or to the family.
DOUGLAS C. PRICE, SR.
(1957-2003)
PEKIN - Douglas Charles Price, Sr., 45, of 357 - Caroline St., Apt. A, died at 2:55 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2003 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
He was born May 31, 1957 in Peoria to Ralph Lee and Doris Mae Peters Price.
Surviving are his mother of Peoria; 3 daughters; 1 son; 4 grandchildren; 1 sister, Linda (James) McKenzie of Peoria; and 2 brothers, Michael G. (Tina) Price of Bartonville and Darryle Price of Peoria.
He was preceded in death by his father; and 2 brothers.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2003 at Green Valley Cemetery in Green Valley. Captain Jerry O'Neil will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Thursday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel.
ALLISON RENEE' FITZGERALD
(2003)
PEKIN - Allison Rene` Fitzgerald, infant daughter of Michelle Lynn Barnett and Michael D. Fitzgerald of 307 South 12th Street, died at 3:46 a.m. Monday, March 24, 2003 at Pekin Hospital, where she was born at 1:40 a.m.
Also surviving are her maternal grandparents, William D. and Tonya S. Barnett of Pekin; her paternal grandparents, Robin Y and Kevin E. Buck of Pekin; her maternal great-grandmother, Patricia A. Mercer of North Augusta, South Carolina; her paternal great-grandfather, Claude Gene Fitzgerald of Maquon; her paternal great-great-grandmother, Veda R. DeLay of Pekin and numerous aunts and uncles.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. David Whiteside will officiate. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
NORMA F. WALL
(1913-2003)
PEKIN - Norma Faye Wall, 90, of 601 Prince Street in Pekin, died at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 23, 2003 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was formerly of 1402 James Road in Pekin and also of Peoria and Bloomington.
Born February 19, 1913 in Bloomington to William T. and Clara Pope Brander, she married Matthew J. Wall on April 23, 1930 in Bloomington. He died November 14, 1986 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters.
Surviving are one son, William W. (Shirley) Wall of Mesa, Arizona; three grandchildren, Theodore W. (Cheryl) Wall of Pekin, Leann L. Cart of Springfield and Joseph Michael Wall of Mesa and one great-granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Wall of Peoria.
Mrs. Wall was a homemaker.
She was a member of Bradley Epworth United Methodist Church in Peoria and had attended First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin.
She was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Arthur I. Schudde will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
KATHRYN J. HODGE
(1932-2003)
MARQUETTE HTS. - Kathryn June "Katie" Hodge, 70, of 216 Craig Rd. died at 4:55 p.m., Friday, March 21, 2003 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.
She was born December 26, 1932 in Peoria to James and Etta Moore Crooks.
She first married James Underwood and later married James Hodge in 1960 in Peoria.
Surviving are 4 sons, James E. Underwood of Marquette Hts., Robert L. Underwood of Washington, IL, Timothy E. Hodge of Pekin, and Patrick M. "Pat" Hodge of Manito; 3 daughters, Penny Hobbs of Bartonville, Laura Love of Canton, and Kathleen (Terryl) Brawner of Pekin; 7 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Hodge was employed by Caterpillar, Inc. for 30 years, retiring in 1995 as a fire inspector.
She enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, and interior decorating. She was of the Episcopal faith.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. Rev. Don E. Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.
Friends and family will gather for food and fellowship at her home following the burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Dream Factory, P.O. Box 1431, Pekin, IL 61555.
DOROTHY M. LANGENBAHN
(1920-2003)
PEKIN - Dorothy M. Langenbahn, 82, of 228 Parkridge Lane, died at 9:39 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2003 at her residence.
Born March 30, 1920 in Pekin to Edward and Vina Lichtenberg Tyler, she married Kenneth K. Langenbahn on April 3, 1938 in Pekin. He died June 27, 2000 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one infant son, Jerry in 1938; one brother and one sister.
Surviving are two daughters, Diane K. (Ronald) Hutchison of Pekin and Linda L. Wheeler of North Pekin; two sons, Ronald L. Langenbahn of Pekin and Dick D. Langenbahn of Hann Munden, Germany; thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
A homemaker, Mrs. Langenbahn enjoyed cooking and talking and visiting with others. She also loved her grandchildren, flower gardening and traveling.
Private graveside services will be Monday, March 24, 2003 at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Testament Missionary Baptist Church, 2107 Windsor Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
JOHN F. WHELAN
(1962-2003)
CREVE COEUR - John F. Whelan, 40, of Raritan Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, died at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Born September 9, 1962 in Peoria to Donald and Jane Gould Whelan, he married Kari Sohn on August 23, 1986 in Carbondale.
Surviving are his parents of Creve Coeur; one son, Logan Whelan; two daughters, Madison Whelan and Delaney Whelan, all of St. Louis, Missouri; two brothers, James Whelan of Peoria and Donald (Joan) Whelan of Pascagoula, Mississippi and five sisters, Susan (Daniel) Simoncini of Washington, Jana (Gary) Densberger and Jean (Jim) McCarty, both of East Peoria, Theresa (Kevin) Thieme, also of Washington and Angela (Michael) Stewart of Gulf Port, Mississippi.
He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, receiving his bachelor's degree in horticulture in 1984 and his master's degree in 1986.
A landscaper and horticulturist for seventeen years, he worked for the University of Missouri Extension Service and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
He enjoyed remodeling and especially enjoyed attending his children's sporting activities.
He was of the Catholic faith.
Private services will be held at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel. The Rev. Joseph W. Anderson will officiate. There will be no public visitation. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, 4722 North Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61614 or to the Children's Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603.
CARL W. KARNES
(1917-2003)
PEKIN - Carl W. Karnes, 85, of 1316 Morton Street, Pekin, died at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at his residence.
Born June 17, 1917 in Adair, Kentucky to Joe and Mary Caffee Karnes, he married Pauline O. Swearingian on March 1, 1941 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Larry D. (Dee) Karnes of Spring Lake and Brad A. Karnes of Pekin; one daughter, Donna L. Banzhaf of Orlando, Florida; one sister, Myrtle E. Evans of Pekin; five grandchildren, Cindy L. Karnes of Eagan, Minnesota, Lyle D. (Tracy) Karnes of Pekin, Faith A. (Alec) Peters of Pekin, Hope M. Smith of Pekin and Luv M. Highley of Pekin and fourteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; one sister and one granddaughter.
Mr. Karnes was employed at WABCO in Peoria for 43 years as a shear operator and at last in their production department. He retired in February of 1980 and was a member of their retirees club.
He was of the Methodist faith.
He enjoyed yardwork and fishing. He also was an avid St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2003 in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. The Rev. Tom Cone will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 243 Derby Street, Pekin, IL 61554.
ROSE C. HAPNER
(1923-2003)
PEKIN - Rose Caroline Hapner, 79, of 1103 South 7th Street in Pekin, died at 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at her residence.
Born October 27, 1923 in Peoria to Paul and Caroline Matkovic Moras, she married Charles Peary Hapner on March 9, 1945 in Peoria. He died on March 21, 1997 in Peoria. She also was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Surviving are one daughter, Rosalie Ann (Ron) Wendelin and one grandson, Jay Michael Wendelin, all of Pekin. Several cousins also survive her.
Mrs. Hapner had worked as an inspector at the former Boss Glove Factory in Peoria. While residing in Norfolk, Virginia, she worked in civil service. She also worked as a shipping clerk for the Pabst Brewing Company in Peoria Heights and last worked in 1964 as a cashier for the Sutliff & Case Drugstore located in Bartonville.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, where she was a member of the Council of Catholic Women and was a past chair of the annual church bazaar.
She enjoyed gardening and playing cards.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Timothy Nolan will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
FLOYD C. WOOD
(1925-2003)
MARQUETTE HEIGHTS - Floyd Chester Wood, 77, 1925 Harden Boulevard, Lot 188, Lakeland, Florida, died at 7:30 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2003 at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida. He was formerly of Marquette Heights.
Born September 5, 1925 in Belknap to Oneal and Beulah Griffith Wood, he married Rose Mary Calvin on February 6, 1943 in Charleston, Missouri. She survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Floyd H. (Mary) Wood of Marquette Heights, Steve J. Wood of Pekin and Michael C. (Debby) Wood also of Marquette Heights; three brothers, Oneal (Millie) Wood of Mayfield, Kentucky, Victor (Emily) Wood of North Pekin and William (Rene) Wood of Sacramento, California; eight grandchildren, Joseph Wood of Washington, Jeremy Wood, Jeffrey Wood, Jason Wood, all of Marquette Heights, Nicholas Wood of South Pekin, Tamara LeVeque of Pekin, Stacy Walters of South Pekin and Stephanie Baletka of East Peoria; eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one infant sister.
A World War II Army veteran, Mr. Wood served in the European Theater and was a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was a former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Disabled American Veterans group in Mounds, Illinois.
A retired member of Boilermakers Local No. 60 in Morton, he became a member in 1967 and was a past president of the local. He was a barber in Marquette Heights from 1958 to 1970.
He was a member of the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland and a former member of the North Pekin Church of the Nazarene, where he was a trustee, soloist and choir member.
He was a former member of the Frank N. Nicol Lodge No. 1170, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois in Creve Coeur. He also was a former member of the Mohammed Temple, Shrine and the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria.
He enjoyed music and playing the guitar.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2003 at the North Pekin Church of the Nazarene. The Rev. Roger L. Davis will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Children's Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61603.
MARY E. JACKSON
(1919-2003)
CREVE COEUR - Mary Evelyn Jackson, 83, formerly of 421 Glendale died at 6:35 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2003 at Pekin Living and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born August 25, 1919 in Princeton, Kentucky to Henry and Neacie Ella Kimble Johnson. She married Joseph H. Jackson on January 5, 1938 in Henderson, Kentucky.
She was preceded in death by her husband on March 11, 1991 in Pekin; 1 son, Herbert R. Jackson; 1 daughter, Sandra K. Jackson; 1 brother; and 2 sisters.
Surviving are 1 son, Joseph W. (Cindy) Jackson of Pekin; 2 daughters, Carolyn A. (Tony) Watson of Peoria and Vicki L. Montgomery of Creve Coeur; 8 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; and 1 sister, Lou Jackson of Morris, Illinois.
A homemaker, Mrs. Jackson was a member of Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur chapel. Rev. Joseph W. Anderson will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Central Illinois Chapter, 606 W. Glen Ave., Peoria, IL 61614.
LOIS I. DOWDS
(1930-2003)
EAST PEORIA - Lois Irene Dowds, 73, of 639 Sherry Lane died at 1:24 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2003 in the emergency room at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
She was born February 1, 1930 to Raymond George and Loretta May Sutliff Cook.
She married Raymond Harold Hull on April 15, 1948. He died on March 4, 1984 in Pekin.
She later married William A. Dowds on July 10, 1987 in East Peoria.
Surviving are her husband; 2 daughters, Trudy (Steven) Hoerr and Judy (Randy Yancey, both of Manito; 2 sons, Mike Hull of Pekin and Paul (Cassie) Hull of Manito; 2 step-daughters, Carolyn (Van) Ingold of East Peoria and Valerie (Tim) Gazza of Hanna City; 3 step-sons, Roger (Pam) Dowds of rural Pekin, Larry (Margaret) Dowds of Morton, and Kevin (Connie) Dowds of Delavan; 11 grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 8 step-great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Eva Lynn of Beardstown; and 1 brother, Junior (Linda) Cook of Springfield, Illinois.
She was also preceded in death by 2 brothers.
A homemaker, Mrs. Dowds had been a member of the 1st Church of the Nazarene in Pekin for over 50 years.
She had been a foster parent for several years and enjoyed music and nature.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at her church. Rev. Greg Mason will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, March 17, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the 1st Church of the Nazarene, 3514 Broadway Rd., Pekin, IL 61554.
BEULAH V. WORLOW
(1912-2003)
PEKIN - Beulah Venita Worlow, 90, of 1520 El Camino Drive died at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13, 2003 at Pekin Manor. She was formerly of 1407 Sheridan Road in Pekin.
Born October 25, 1912 in Raymondville, Missouri to Richard S. and Lulay Fazel Courtney, she married Ural Loranza "Buck" Worlow on April 18, 1931 in Raymondville, Missouri. He died on November 10, 1998 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by one son, Robert James Worlow on November 15, 1993 in San Jose, Illinois; one granddaughter, Debra Ann Jones; one brother; one sister and one stepsister.
Surviving are two daughters, Betty L. (Don) Rademacker of Pekin and Shirley R. (Gerald) Jones of Lewis Center, Ohio; one step-sister, Ula Garman of Hartshorn, Missouri; six grandchildren, Duane M. (Bev) Worlow of San Jose, Gaila (David) Munson of Manito, Vicki L. (Steve) Bonk of Rantoul, Brenda M. (Tim) Bechtold of Frankfort, Diane M. (John) Pax of Powell, Ohio and Cheryl A. (David) Cooper of LaGrange Park; fourteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
A homemaker, Mrs. Worlow was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Pekin.
She enjoyed handwork, especially crocheting and quilting. She also enjoyed camping and fishing.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Gary Johnson and Evangelist Steven D. Bonk, her grandson-in-law will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2003 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Congregational United Church of Christ, 2200 Willow Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
BRENT L. FLAIRTY
(1970-2003)
PEKIN - Brent Lee Flairty, 32, of 429 South St., Apt. F, died at 4:23 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at his home.
He was born November 16, 1970 in Peoria to Robert L. and Dianne L. Patterson Flairty.
Surviving are his mother and step-father, Dianne (Larry) Barker of Pekin; father and step-mother, Robert (Debbie) Flairty of Pekin; maternal grandparents, Arthur "Bud" and Donna Patterson of Pekin; Paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Flairty of Pekin; 2 brothers, Klint R. (Marcia) Flairty of Delavan and A. Kip (Jane) Patterson of Manito; 3 step-sisters, Karmen (Ryan) Mayberry and Amber Robertson, both of Pekin and Jennifer (Lance) Breeding of Milton, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, James Flairty; a step-grandmother, Norma J. Barker; and 1 step-brother, Shawn Robertson.
Mr. Flairty last worked for Kroger's in Peoria in June, 2002.
He was a member of Friends of People with AIDS.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Terry C. Edele will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2003 at the funeral home. Cremation will be accorded. Burial of cremains will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army Transitional Center in Pekin or to the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Peoria for the AIDS Clinic.
FLOYD L. BEST
(1937-2003)
PEKIN - Floyd Leon Best, 65, of 1213 Florence Ave., Apt. 1, died at 10:08 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at his home.
He was born September 5, 1937 in Dayton, Arkansas to Floyd Ezra and Georgie Brown Best. He married Carrie Lenora Warren on June 30, 1960 in Batesville, Arkansas.
Surviving are his wife; 1 daughter, Renna (John) Hadsall of Pekin; 1 son, Robert Best of Pekin; 2 sisters, Lois Babb of Pekin and Ola Marie (Bob) Textor of Shelden, Missouri; 1 brother, Donald Best of Murrieta, California; 2 step-sisters, Barb (Jim) Sawney and Jeannie Prentice, both of South Pekin; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-mother, Dolly Best.
Mr. Best was last employed as the manager of the Freedom Oil Pekin location from 1991-96. Previously, he had worked at Sunset Lanes in Pekin from 1989-91, as a millwright at Allied Mills in Bartonville for 10 years, and as a scale technician for the Toledo Scale Company and the Central Illinois Scale Company for 25 years.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-64.
He was affiliated with the First Church of the Nazarene in Pekin.
He was a former member of the R.E.A.C.T. citizens band radio club. He enjoyed bowling and record collecting.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. Rev. Greg Mason will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2003 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund, 3300 N. Main St., East Peoria, IL 61611.
BETTY L. MARTIN
(1927-2003)
PEKIN - Betty Lauraine Martin, 75, of 1013 Kennedy Drive, died at 9:15 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2003 at her residence.
Born June 26, 1927 in Pekin to Herman "Mike" and Florence J. Klockenga Roth, she married Stanley H. Martin on May 15, 1949 in Pekin. He survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Pamela A. (Steven) Schmidgall of Tremont, Yvonne J. (Roger) Look of Metamora, Connie K. (John) Vaughn of Lewistown; two sons, Michael S. (Lori) Martin of Geneseo and Douglas H. (Lori) Martin of Novi, Michigan; one brother, Edwin L. (Gail) Roth of Pekin and ten grandchildren, Wesley S. Schmidgall and Regina L. Schmidgall, both of Tremont, Sara J. (Justin) Hamilton of Creve Coeur, Erica M. (Matthew) Gleason of Pekin, Nicole R. Look of Bemidji, Minnesota, Abbigail J. Look of Washington, D.C., Trent Martin and Stephanie Martin, both of Geneseo and Michael E. Martin and Ryan D. Martin, both of Novi.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Melissa Sue Martin on June 22, 1990 in Peoria and one brother, Robert Allen Roth on September 11, 1997 in Hopedale Township, Tazewell County.
She was a former member and past honored queen of the Job's Daughters in Pekin. She was previously involved in the PTA at Edison School in Pekin and was a past president of its mother's club.
Mrs. Martin was a 63-year member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where she devoted her time as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was an active member of the Tri-M Adult Sunday school class, Friendship Club, Rachel-Sarah Circle and United Methodist Women of her church.
She also was a member of the Pekin Women's Club and a lifetime member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Preceptor Alpha Omicron Chapter in Pekin.
She enjoyed spending quality time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed crocheting and fishing.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. The Rev. John T. Vaughn, her son-in-law and the Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel and one half-hour before services Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 503 North 4th Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or to the Waterford Church of God, where her son-in-law has started in ministry, Box 4, Lewistown, Illinois 61542.
MARY MARGARET OLIVER
(1924-2003)
EAST PEORIA - Mary Margaret "Margie" Oliver, 78, of 105 Court in East Peoria, died at 6:09 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2003 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born May 3, 1924 in Peoria to Albert and Mary Sweeney Causey, she married Harold O. Oliver on December 18, 1940 in Davenport, Iowa. He survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Peggy A. (Donald) Roberts of Chico, California and Patti J. Cunefare of East Peoria; two sons, Jerry L. (Jane) Oliver of Hot Springs, Arkansas and David D. Oliver of Santa Monica, California; eight grandchildren, Scott Roberts of Phoenix, Steve Roberts and Ellen Roberts, both of Chico, Cheryl (Gordon) Olson of Reno, Nevada, Jerry R. Oliver and T.J. (Joelene) Cunefare, both of East Peoria, Aimee McDonald of Peoria Heights and Nancy (Bryan) Shallow of Frisco, Texas; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Jimmy W. (Jean) Causey of Mississippi and one sister, Betty (Doc) Gansch of Clearwater, Florida.
Her parents and one brother preceded her in death.
A homemaker, Mrs. Oliver had worked at the former Boss Glove Factory in Peoria and for Harold Benz decorating wedding cakes.
She was a member of Mount Olive Missionary Church in Peoria and was a part of its women's ministry.
She enjoyed camping and was a member of the Good Sam Camping Club. She was a member of the Tazewell County Home Extension at the Fon du Lac Park District in East Peoria.
She loved her grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at Mount Olive Missionary Church, 5718 North University Street in Peoria. The Rev. David P. Gruber will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel and for one half-hour before services Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Peoria Area Blind Peoples Center, 2905 West Garden, Peoria, Illinois 61605 or to the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund, 3300 North Main Street, East Peoria, Illinois 61611.
HELEN V. TISDALE
(1921-2003)
WASHINGTON - Helen Viola Tisdale, 81, of 200 Carlton Ave., Apt. 11A died at 7:35 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at O.S.F. St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was formerly of Peoria and Pekin.
She was born July 24, 1921 in Hay Springs, Nebraska to James and Maren Pederson Hindman.
She married Howard G. Tisdale on November 22, 1942 in Coeur D Alene, Idaho.
She was preceded in death by her husband on July 19, 1983 in Washington, IL; 1 daughter, Hazel Janet Tisdale, 1 granddaughter, 2 brothers, and 1 sister.
Surviving are 3 sons, Howard Wayne Tisdale of Spokane, Washington, Harold Stanley (Janice) Tisdale of rural Pekin, and Henry Oliver (Ida-May) Tisdale of Pekin; 1 daughter, Judy (Fred) Beckham of Washington, IL; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Bernice Koerper of Spokane, Washington; and 2 brothers, Kenneth (Geri) Hindman of Seattle, Washington and Don Hindman of Spokane, Washington.
Mrs. Tisdale worked for the Bemis Bag Company in Peoria for 13 years, retiring in 1987 as a sewing machine operator. Previously, she had been a cook at Pekin Hospital for many years.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pekin.
She loved country music, puzzles, word puzzles and crocheting.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, March 7, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. Rev. Gary Watkins will officiate. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
TRICIA M. MASON
(1979-2003)
MARQUETTE HTS., IL - Tricia Marie Mason, 23, 301 E. Stewart, Normal, IL, died at 2:40 a.m., Monday, March 3, 2003 at her home. She was formerly of Marquette Hts.
She was born July 4, 1979 in Peoria to William Lee and Bonnie Kwak Mason.
Surviving are her mother, Bonnie Mason of Marquette Hts.; father and step-mother, William (Janet) Mason of Elmwood; 1 brother, Eric Mason of Marquette Hts.; maternal grandparents, Lillian and Stanley Kwak of Chicago; and paternal grandparents, Dora and Marvin Mason of Osco, Illinois.
Miss Mason was a research technician at Illinois State University where she was earning a Master of Science degree in bio-technology. She was also a lab assistant at Heartland Community College. She had previously worked as a lab assistant at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 2001.
She was a class salutatorian of the Pekin Community High School class of 1997. In high school she was active in speech, debate, dance and the Key Club. She was a member of the University of Illinois Swing Dance Club; the University Swingers, Beta Beta Beta biology honor society, and the Alpha Chi Sigma chemistry fraternity, the Alpha Phi Sorority, and the Newman Center, all at Truman State; and the American Society of Microbiologists at Illinois State University.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. Rev. Joe Murphy will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2003 at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the funeral.
Contributions may be made to the Illinois State University Foundation in memory of Tricia Marie Mason.
