U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
RONALD F. MOESSNER
(1950~2002)
PEKIN ~ Ronald Frank Moessner, 51, of 68 Grove Place, died at 3:13 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2002 at his residence.
Born July 5, 1950 in Chicago to William and Caroline Karner Moessner, he married Nancy M. Grimmer on October 20, 1973 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Courtney M. Moessner of Long Beach, California; one son, Alex R. Moessner of Tempe, Arizona and one sister, Karen (Mark) Johnson of Snowmass, Colorado. His parents preceded him in death.
A 1968 graduate of Morgan Park High School in Chicago, he was a 1972 graduate of Western Illinois University in Macomb with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in special education.
He was a partner with Indoff, Inc of St. Louis, Missouri working in their material handling division.
He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Pekin and was a board member for the Pekin Housing Authority. He had coached softball and baseball for the Pekin Union Mission at Shade Park. He was a former member of the YWCA Advisory Board and had served as co-chair for a past YWCA fundraising drive.
He enjoyed golf, tennis and travel.
He was a member of Peace Memorial United Church of Christ in Palos Park and attended Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin.
His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. The Rev. Krista L. Brockman will officiate. There will be no visitation. Cremation will be accorded. Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brain Tumor Research Fund in care of the University of Illinois School of Medicine at Peoria, Department of Neurosurgery or to the Pekin Union Mission.
ROBERTA H. "MISSY" HILL
(1906~2002)
COWDEN ~ Roberta Helen "Missy" Hill, 95, of 1108 Catherine Street, Pekin, died at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2002 at Morton Villa Nursing Center in Morton.
She was formerly of Cowden.
Born April 8, 1906 in Cowden to B. E. and Susie Mabel Holin Prater, she married Vancil Floyd Hill on February 2, 1927. He died May 23, 1977 in Pekin. Three brothers also preceded her in death.
Surviving are one daughter, Barbara J. (Robert) Calhoun of Marquette Heights; two grandchildren, Michael G. (Linda) Calhoun and Roberta L. Lee, both of Marquette Heights; four great-grandsons; three step-great-grandchildren; and one brother, John (Opal) Prater of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Mrs. Hill had worked for the American Distilling Company for one year. She then worked in the Dragon’s Den at Pekin Community High School’s West Campus and in the Pavilion at Mineral Springs Park in Pekin, both for many years.
She enjoyed sewing, playing cards, and cooking.
She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin where funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2002. The Rev. Robert A. Scott will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mound Cemetery in Cowden.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Presbyterian Church, 1717 Highwood, Pekin, Illinois.
DOROTHY E. EPKENS
(1914~2002)
PEKIN ~ Dorothy Eileen Epkens, 87, formerly of 1417 Anna Road, Pekin, died at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2002 at Hallmark House Nursing Center in Pekin, where she had been a resident since June 15, 2001.
She was born October 21, 1914 in Pekin to Fred and Eugenia Bequeaith Epkens.
Surviving are her caregiver, Denise (Jim) West of Pekin; and one cousin, Eileen (George) Pfanz of Sun City West, Arizona.
Her parents and two sisters (Laura Epkens and Eloise Hull) preceded her in death.
Miss Epkens worked for CENTEL in Pekin for over 43 years, retiring in 1977 as a confidential secretary.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, and its United Methodist Women and Rachel-Sarah Circle. She sang in the Sanctuary Choir for over 50 years, taught Sunday school, and was secretary of the Sunday school. She also was a member and past secretary of the Friendship Club at the church.
A charter member of the Pekin Civic Chorus, she also sang solos at weddings and funerals. She also was a member of the Pekin YWCA, Tri-S Club, and the Pekin Hospital Auxiliary, where she volunteered at the admittance desk at the hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2002 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin where visitation will be one hour prior. The Rev. Krista L. Brockman will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Arrangements are by the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 503 North 4th Street, Pekin, Illinois, Hallmark House Nursing Center, 2501 Allentown Road, Pekin, Illinois 61554, or the Harbor Light Hospice, 416 St. Mark’s Court, Suite 206, Peoria, Illinois 61602.
JOHN P. FRIEDRICH
(1932~2002)
PEKIN ~ John Philip Friedrich, 69, of 2105 Granada Drive, Pekin, died at 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2002 at Pekin Manor. He was formerly of Green Valley.
Born March 28, 1932 in Pekin to Nicholas J. and Lillian Weyhrich Friedrich, he married Anita Jane Randall on May 25, 1952 in Licking, Missouri. She survives.
Also surviving are three sons, J. R. (Dede) Friedrich of Germantown Hills, James R. (Colleen) Friedrich of Salem, Oregon, and Stephen M. (Sharon) Friedrich of Green Valley; one daughter, Mary Ann (Steve) Hackbarth of Baraboo, Wisconsin; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Kay (Willis) Lutz of Green Valley and Margaret (Fred) Trinklein of Long Island, New York; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents preceded him in death.
A graduate with a Bachelors and Masters degree from Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri, he earned his Ph.D from Oklahoma State University.
Dr. Friedrich was a research chemist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Northern Regional Research Center in Peoria from 1959 until retiring in 1989. He received a Superior Service Award from the Department of Agriculture’s Secretary John Block in 1984 at Washington, D.C. He held several process patents and was a member of the American Oil Chemist Society.
He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church (Sand Prairie) in rural Green Valley, where he was an elder, church treasurer, and Sunday school teacher and Superintendent. He also had served on the Green Valley Grade School Board.
He enjoyed golfing 
and bowling.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2002 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley. The Rev. Thomas R. Wenndt and William E. Krueger, DCE, will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel and 30 minutes prior to services Friday at the church. Burial will be in Sand Prairie Cemetery in rural Green Valley.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church, 13443 Townline Road, Green Valley, Illinois 61534, the Alzheimer’s Association Central Illinois Chapter, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614, or Harbor Light Hospice, 416 St. Mark’s Court, Suite 206, Peoria, Illinois 61602.
MICHAEL R. HUNT
(1946~2002)
PEORIA ~ Michael R. Hunt, 55, of 5709 North War Memorial Drive, died at 12:25 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2002 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born November 5, 1946 in Spring Valley to Donald Kent and Mary Jayne Brandt Hunt, he married Sue Ann Jennings on October 26, 1968 in Chillicothe.
Surviving are his mother, Mary J. Finley of Milan; two sons, Rev. Marty L. (Kathy) Hunt of Peoria and Daniel S. (Ashley) Hunt of Green Valley; one grandson, Tyus Anthony Hunt of Peoria and two sisters, Kay Angel of Peoria and Bonnie (John) Ross of Chillicothe.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Barry Lee Hunt.
He was employed at Caterpillar, Inc. for 36 years, last working February 26, 2002 at the Mossville facility.
He attended Richwoods Christian Church in Peoria and also its midweek small group.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2002 at Richwoods Christian Church in Peoria. Pastor Jim Powell will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Richwoods Christian Church. Burial will be in Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe. Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Richwoods Christian Church, 7116 North Terra Vista Drive, Peoria, Illinois 61614 or to the American Diabetes. Association, 2580 Federal Drive, Suite 403, Decatur, Illinois 62526.
RUBY YORK
(1926~2002)
PEKIN ~ Ruby York, 75, of 210 C Street, Rosenberg Acres, Pekin, died at 7:50 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2002 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born December 12, 1926 in Gallatin, Tennessee to James and Beulah Eubanks Hunt, she married Garland Guy York on May 15, 1949 in Pekin. He survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Phyllis A. (Larry) Anderson, Rebecca S. (Dale) Meischner, and Debra K. (Marvin) Diveley, all of Pekin; two sons, Garland L. (Darlene) York of Mapleton and Jerry L. (Rachel) York of Manchester, Iowa; eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Parks, and Grace Hunt of Peoria; two brothers, William Hunt and Richard Hunt, both of Peoria; one half-brother, Donnie Hunt of Peoria; and one half-sister, Rose Hunt of Peoria.
Her parents, one infant daughter (Anna Marie York), one infant son (Joseph Ray York), two brothers, and one sister preceded her in death.
A homemaker, she enjoyed fishing, gardening, and was a good Christian mother.
She was a charter member of the First Assembly of God in Pekin, where she was a member of the women’s ministries, sonshiners group, and the intercessory prayer ministries.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2002 at the First Assembly of God in Pekin. The Rev. Quinn McKenzie will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel and 30 minutes prior to services Friday at the church. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Assembly of God, 1209 North Parkway Drive, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
JAMES E. KING
(1932~2002)
PEKIN ~ James Edward "Jim" King, 70, of 1004 North Capitol Street, Pekin, died at 11:11 a.m. Thursday, August 1, 2002 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born January 19, 1932 in Pekin to Arthur and Lydia Ritchie King, he married Peggy Marie Schaefer on May 6, 1955 in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, James A. (Becky) King of Spring Bay and John D. King of Pekin; two daughters, Julie K. (Stewart) Hamm and Jennifer D. King, both of Pekin; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one brother, Jack (Charlene) King of Pekin; one sister, Arta (Edwin "Bud") Brecher of Bonita Springs, Florida; several nieces and nephews; and one uncle, Donald "Ducky" Ritchie of Pekin, who helped raise him.
His parents preceded him in death.
A United States
Korean War
Army veteran, he served from October 29, 1952 to October 28, 1954. He attained the rank of Corporal.
Mr. King worked for Central Illinois Light Company for 20 ½ years, retiring in 1978 as a pipe fitter in the gas department. He owned and operated King’s Furniture Stripping in Pekin from 1973 to 1996. He later worked for Heartland Bank in Pekin as a maintenance man and courier for two years, last working June 24, 2002.
He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Peoria and a former member of the William Schaefer American Legion Post #44 and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #916, both of Pekin.
He was a Saint Louis Cardinals baseball fan and enjoyed fishing.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 5, 2002 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. Deacon Dale "Jack" Gaetz will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 2675 Allentown Road, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
VIRGINIA A. HARRISON
(1919~2002)
PEKIN ~ Virginia A. Harrison, 83, of 1615 Caroline Street, Pekin, died at 12:59 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria.
Born June 3, 1919 in Elm Grove Township, Tazewell County to Phillip George and Grace Dringenberg Stoetzer, she married James Thomas Smith on March 14, 1941 in Peoria. She later married Lewis James Harrison on September 25, 1942 in Joplin, Missouri.
Surviving are two sons, Phillip J. (Marie) Smith of Valley Springs, California and Thomas D. Harrison of Pekin; one daughter, Linda K. (Bill) Maquet of rural Manito; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Frances Cherry of Chillicothe.
Her parents, two sisters, and one brother preceded her in death.
Mrs. Harrison worked for the State of Illinois Department of Public Aid Pekin office as a homemaker for 13 ½ years, retiring in 1980. Previously, she worked in the cafeteria at Washington Junior High School in Pekin.
She was a member of Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Pekin.
She enjoyed sewing, doing
needlework
, and flower gardening.
Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, August 2, 2002 at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin. The Rev. Glenn R. A. Niemann will officiate. There will be no visitation.
Arrangements are by the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 711 Court Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
GRACE A. REYNOLDS
(1913~2002)
PEKIN ~ Grace Anastasia Reynolds, 89, of 2220 State Street, Pekin, formerly of Peoria and Belleville, died at 4:25 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2002 at Pekin Living and Rehabilitation Center.
Born February 3, 1913 in East Saint Louis to James H. and Julia Neeclaus Brown, Sr., she married Paul William Reynolds on April 8, 1966 in Los Angeles, California. He died August 9, 1982 in Los Angeles, California. One son (James O. Isaac) and one brother also preceded her in death.
Surviving are two sons, Calvin L. (Sylvia) Isaac of Pekin and Bob Cannon of Lincoln, Nebraska; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A homemaker, Mrs. Reynolds was of the Catholic faith.
Private Burial will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. There will be no visitation.
Arrangements are by the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
MARY N. REBMAN
(1912~2002)
PEKIN ~ Mary Nina Rebman, 89, of 191 East Queenwood Road, Morton, died at 8:09 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2002 at Morton Terrace, Ltd. She was formerly of Pekin.
Born July 31, 1912 in Springfield, South Dakota to Vernon and Clara Thompson Landers, she married Archie Ray Rebman on November 29, 1944 in Peoria. He died February 16, 1993 in Peoria. Two sisters and four brothers also preceded her in death.
Surviving are one daughter, M. Lorene (Frederick "Fritz") Reis of Lakeland, Florida; two grandsons, Richard L. (Chong) Reis and Dennis R. Reis, both of Pekin; two step-daughters, Archalene (Tom) Gossett of Burlington, Washington and Diane (Donald) Smith of Seattle, Washington; five great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and many step-grandchildren.
Mrs. Rebman had owned and operated the Monroe Street Market in Peoria and later owned and operated the Mossville Café.
She was a member of Parkway Christian Church in Pekin. She also was a member of the Celestial City Chapter No. 333, Order of the Eastern Star; the Victoria Shrine No. 83, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, both in Pekin, and Queen Christina Court No. 4, Order of the Amaranth in Peoria, where she was a past worthy matron.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. David J. Wetterlund will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made to Parkway Christian Church, 2221 North Parkway Drive, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
