U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
THEDA M. BEASLEY
(1947~2003)
MARQUETTE HEIGHTS ~ Theda Mae Beasley, 56, of 303 Saint Clair Drive, Marquette Heights, died at 12:08 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois in Peoria.
Born April 28, 1947 in Peoria to Robert Taylor and Lucille Jane Corn Ashburn, she married Edward Russell Beasley, Sr. on November 15, 1969 in Marquette Heights. He survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Kerri A. (Michael) Hill of Pekin; one son, Edward R. Beasley, Jr. of Marquette Heights; three grandchildren, Kylee D. Beasley and Hunter E. Beasley, both of Marquette Heights and Hope K. Hill of Pekin; and two step-grandchildren, Brock Hill of Pekin and Mackenzie Hill of Peoria.
Her parents and one brother (Robert T. Ashburn, Jr.) preceded her in death.
A homemaker, Mrs. Beasley enjoyed sewing and making crafts.
There will be no services or visitation. Cremation will be accorded.
Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 4722 North Sheridan Road, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
WESLEY W. WIEMERS
(1921~2003)
PEKIN ~ Wesley William Wiemers, 82, of 1302 Chestnut Street, died at 10:55 p.m. Monday, September 1, 2003 at Pekin Hospital.
Born September 1, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Wesley J. and Josephine Schneider Wiemers, he married Alice Marie Middleton on April 22, 1946 in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Wesley W. (Nancy) Wiemers of Peoria; two daughters, Joanne C. Floyd of Norman, Oklahoma and Karen S. (David) McLoughlin of Pekin; six grandchildren, Douglas (Dana) Floyd of Norman, Oklahoma, Matthew Floyd of Pacoima, California, Valerie A. (Terry) Lynn, Kimberly L. (Nick) Royer, both of Pekin, David P. Wiemers and Elizabeth A. Wiemers, both of Peoria; four great-grandchildren and one sister, Joan Theobald of Mackinaw.
He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
A World War II Navy veteran, he was a member of the U.S.S. Hyman Association and George M. Maple Memorial AMVETS Post #235 in Pekin.
He retired as an operating engineer in 1983, having worked 13 years for Allied Mills, 21 years for American Distilling Company and a year each for Hiram Walker and Midwest Grain Products.
He was a 43 year member of Empire Lodge #126, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois in Pekin. He also was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria.
He was a member of First Christian Church in Pekin.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Robert N. Brite, Jr. will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2003 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1201 Chestnut Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
SOPHIA M. ATHENS
(1905~2003)
CREVE COEUR ~ Sophia Mary Athens, 97, of 191 East Queenwood Road, Morton, died at 12:05 p.m. Monday, September 1, 2003 at Morton Terrace. She was formerly of 413 Glendale in Creve Coeur.
Born December 7, 1905 in East Peoria to William and Mary Rehbolz Doering, she married Walter Athens on August 24, 1929 in East Peoria. He died in 1987 in Peoria. One son (Frank Athens on March 26, 1998), and two sisters also preceded her in death.
Surviving are two sons, Walter (Yvonne) Athens and Vernon Athens, both of Creve Coeur; one daughter, Marlene Curley of Creve Coeur; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandsons.
A homemaker, Mrs. Athens enjoyed gardening.
She was of the Catholic faith.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 4, 2003 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. The Rev. Terry C. Edele will officiate. Burial will be in Zion Evangelical United Methodist Church Cemetery in rural Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4234 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
JOHN B. "JACK" ZILCH
(1929~2004)
PEKIN ~ John Berton “Jack” Zilch, 74, of 1421 Caroline Street, Pekin, died at 6:58 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2004 at Pekin Hospital.
He was born November 19, 1929 in Peoria to George Edward and Inez M. Fuller Zilch.
Surviving are three sons, Steven B. (Barbara) Zilch and James E. ( Nancy ) Zilch, both of Bartonville, and John J. (Stephanie) Zilch of Peoria; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; and his long-time companion, Grace E. Smith, who he made his home with.
His parents and one brother (James Zilch) preceded him in death.
Mr. Zilch began working for Caterpillar, Inc. in 1964, retiring May of 1991. He previously worked for Le Tourneau-Westinghouse and later WABCO, both in Peoria .
He was a member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1869 in Pekin , where he also tended bar for many years.
He enjoyed fishing.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Cremation will follow services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1869 Ladies Auxiliary, 274 Derby Street , Pekin , Illinois 61554 .
MARCEAU DUEZ
(1923~2004)
PEKIN ~ Marceau Duez, 80, of 1202 Royal Avenue, Pekin, died at 10:15 a.m. , Sunday, February 8, 2004 at his home.
Born December 31, 1923 in Stonington to August and Marguerite DuPage Duez, he married Evelyn Opal Boyer on October 5, 1945 in Reno , Nevada .
Surviving are his wife; three sons, Robert D. (Carol) Duez of Pekin, August W. Duez of Morton and David D. (Debra) Duez of Des Moines, Iowa; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Rosemarie (Bill) Guindon of Bend, Oregon; and one brother, Florent Duez of Pekin .
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one brother.
Mr. Duez worked as a meat cutter for 47 years, last working at Buehler’s Red Fox Supermarket in Glasford, retiring in 1988. Previously, he had worked at Moran’s Market in Pekin for many years.
He was a member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in rural Groveland.
He was a former member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union, Pekin Moose Lodge #916, Pekin Eagles Aerie #1869, Pekin Junior Football League, Pekin Quarterback Club, and had been a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop #90 at Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin .
He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II in the North African, European, and Mid-Eastern theaters of war.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. The Rev. Robert N. Brite, Jr. will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin .
Memorial contributions may be made to the Miller Senior Citizens Center, 551 South 14th Street , Pekin , Illinois 61554 .
JAMES GARDNER
(1923~2004)
PEKIN ~ James Edward Gardner, 80, of 401 Chestnut Street, died at 6:10 p.m., Saturday, February 7, 2004 at Hallmark House Nursing Center in Pekin.
Born September 11, 1923 in Delavan to Blaine Monroe and Adeline Laverne Hoyt Gardner, he married Betty Marie Johnson on December 13, 1952 in Pekin .
Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, James J. Gardner and Bradley R. (Linda) Gardner, both of Pekin ; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers, Charles W. (Ethel) Gardner and Robert E. (Doris) Gardner, both of Pekin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 5 brothers; and 2 sisters.
He was a 1942 graduate of Pekin Community High School .
A veteran of World War II, he served in the United States
Army Airforce from April 21, 1943 to December 15, 1945 and later served in the United States Air Force from June 30, 1946 to July 8, 1949 . He attained the rank of Sergeant.
Mr. Gardner worked for Keystone Steel and Wire Company in Bartonville for 28 years, retiring in 1983 as a wire drawer. Previously, he had worked for Corn Products Corporation in Pekin and Caterpillar, Inc. in East Peoria .
He served with the U.S.
Army Air Force during World War II as a B-17 heavy bomber aircraft gunner and from 1946-49 in the Caribbean theater of operations as an aerial observer with an air-sea rescue squadron.
He was a member of the Goodfellow Club and the Friendly Neighbor Club and a former member of the William Schaefer American Legion Post #44 in Pekin .
He enjoyed fishing and gardening and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. Private Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin .
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
JOYCE J. GOODHART
(1949~2004)
CREVE COEUR ~Joyce Joan Goodhart, 54, of 611 N. Stewart St. died at 1 a.m. , Saturday, February 7, 2004 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born February 9, 1949 in Peoria to Thomas Ray and R. Alice Byrnes Walton, she married Terry L. Goodhart on May 19, 1978 in Peoria .
Surviving are her husband; 2 daughters, Tina (Kevin) Diveley of Springfield and Buffy (Brian) Hoskins of Utica; 1 son, Gary Goodhart of Metamora; 5 grandchildren; 1 sister, Diane Clemens of East Peoria ; and 1 brother, Thomas ( Beverly ) Walton of Creve Coeur.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Mrs. Goodhard last worked for Regis Inventory in 2003. She had owned and operated Goodhart Gifts in Creve Coeur until 2003 and had previously worked as a travel agent at several local travel agencies.
She was a member of Grace Chapel Baptist Church in Marquette Heights , where she was active in its I.H.S. group. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 1234 in Creve Coeur and had served on the Creve Coeur Police Pension Board. She was also involved with Foster Pet Outreach.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. , Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur chapel. Pastor Elvert Hines will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. , Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria .
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lions of Illinois Foundation, 2814 DeKalb Ave. , Sycamore , IL 60178 or Illinois Parents of the Visually Impaired, P.O. Box 7477 , Springfield , IL 62791 .
ROBERT MILLER, SR
(1951~2004)
PEORIA ~Robert Alfred Miller, Sr., 53, of Waterford , Michigan died at 4 p.m. , Wednesday, February 5, 2004 at St. Joseph Hospital in Waterford. He was formerly of Peoria .
He was born January 6, 1951 in Peoria to Robert O. and Nina Simmons Miller.
Surviving are 1 daughter, Tonia Sue Miller of Waterford ; 1 son, Robert A. (Tanya) Miller, Jr. also of Waterford ; 2 grandsons; and 2 sisters, Helen (Sam) Thome of Peoria and Marilyn Kay (Albert) Dyer of Pekin; and a friend, Jan Nash, with whom he made his home.
Mr. Miller worked for General Motors for 31 years, retiring in November, 2003 as a fork lift driver.
He enjoyed golfing 
, fishing and was an avid University of Michigan sports fan.
He was of the Baptist faith.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. , Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at the Lord’s Table Church of God in Bartonville. Rev. Ron Simmons, Jr. will officiate. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria .
Arrangements are through Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel.
CONARD SANDERS
(1942~2004)
PEORIA ~ Conard Sanders, 61, of 1814 California Street, Peoria, died at 6:47 a.m., Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at his home.
He was born September 10, 1942 in Owensboro, Kentucky to Virgil and Geneva Corley Sanders.
Surviving are two sons, Paul (Mary) Sanders of Peoria and Chris Sanders of Bloomington; two daughters, Jennifer Sanders of Bartonville and Jody Suddeth of Elmwood; three grandsons; two brothers, Ralph (Gloria) Sanders of Bayshore, New York and Leo Sanders of East Peoria; one sister, Carol (Jack) Maroney of East Peoria; two half-brothers, Virgil (Kathi) Sanders of Carrier Mills and Owen (Janice) Sanders of Harrisburg; and three half-sisters, Marlene (William) Asa of Belleville, Patty (Jack) Potts and Kathy Thompson, both of Harrisburg; and Willa “Hands” Sharp, with whom he made his home.
A member of the Teamsters and Chauffeurs Union Local #231, he was an over the road truck driver for 20 years, most of which were with Peoria Trucking Company. He was a self employed mechanic and had owned Freight Expediters in East Peoria for 5 years.
He had been awarded the “Two Million Miles Safety Award” by the Teamsters’ Union .
He was very involved in local stock car racing and was the owner of the Heitzman-Sanders Racing Team. He was also an avid fisherman.
He was of the protestant faith.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur chapel. Cremation will be accorded following visitation. There will be no service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 4722 North Sheridan Road, Peoria, Illinois 61614 .
KATHRYN LENOX
(1916~2004)
SOUTH PEKIN ~Kathryn Farrell Lenox, 87, of 306 Minch St. died at 10:15 p.m. , Monday, February 2, 2004 at Pekin Hospital.
Born August 6, 1916 in Morton to Joseph and Marie Ahrends Dixon, she married Virgil Lee Lenox in July 1934.
She was preceded in death by her husband on March 2, 1977 in Pekin ; 2 grandchildren; and 2 brothers.
Surviving are 3 sons, Rodger (Connie) Lenox of South Pekin, A.E. “Gene” (Margaret) Lenox of Gary, Texas, and Duane Lenox of Ft. Lauderdale , Florida ; 8 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter.
Primarily a homemaker, Mrs. Lenox had also worked as a waitress at White and Reese’s Restaurant and the Princess Candy Kitchen, both in downtown Pekin , during the 1940s and 1950s.
She was a member of the South Pekin Congregational Church where she was involved in and enjoyed many church activities. She was an avid BINGO player.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. , Friday, February 6, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin chapel. Rev. Tom Cone will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. , Thursday, February 5, 2004 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin .
