U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
LAVONA GAZZA
(1933~2004)
PEKIN ~ LaVona June Gazza, 70, of 1410 Fenley St. died at 7:25 p.m., Friday, June 25, 2004 at Pekin Living and Rehabilitation Center.
Born July 17, 1933 in Pekin to Lester L. and Evelyn A. Gentry Harris, she married Henry J. Gazza on February 9, 1950 in Bartonville.
She was preceded in death by her husband on June 19, 2002 in Pekin; 1 daughter, Teresa Gazza on February 26, 2002 in Pekin; and 1 sister.
Surviving are 2 sons, Michael E. (Marcia) Gazza of Pekin and Timothy A. (Valerie) Gazza of Hanna City; 4 grandchildren, including Jeremy Gazza and Jeff Gazza who lived with her; and 2 sisters, Carol S. (Jerry) Braden of Peoria and Melody A. (Michael) Parmenter of Bartonville.
A homemaker, she was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pekin.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Tobin-Naninga Detachment 085 of the Marine Corps League in Pekin; the Tazewell County Salon 754 of 8 et 40; the Bartonville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3883 Ladies Auxiliary; and was current president of the Creve Coeur American Legion Post #1234 Ladies Auxiliary. She was former president of the American Legion Auxiliary 16th District and the American Legion Auxiliary 3rd Division.
She enjoyed crocheting.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Rev. Paul D. Balaban will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 28, 2004 at the funeral home, where the Creve Coeur American Legion Post #1234 Ladies Auxiliary will conduct a “Poppy Ceremony” at 8 p.m.. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #1234 Ladies Auxiliary, 216 Marquette Ave., Creve Coeur, IL 61610.
RUTH HARVEY
(1931~2004)
CREVE COEUR—Ruth Vivian Harvey, 72, of 101 S. Stewart St. died at 4:45 p.m., Friday, June 25, 2004 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born September 5, 1931 in Des Moines, Iowa to Kenneth and Florence Atwood Middour, she married Charles J. Harvey on February 21, 1967 in Springfield, Illinois.
Surviving are her husband; 2 daughters, Cheryl Petri and Lilly Harvey, both of Creve Coeur; 2 sons, Chuck (Connie) Myers of Springfield, Missouri and David Myers of Peoria; 5 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by 4 brothers, including her twin; and 3 sisters.
A homemaker, Mrs. Harvey enjoyed doing crafts, camping, and amateur and C.B. radio.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fon du lac Township Cemetery in East Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Central Illinois Chapter, 2621 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL 61604.
DUANE SMITH
(1932~2004)
PEKIN ~ Duane Munson “Smitty” Smith, Sr., 71, of 2220 State St. died at 5:45 a.m., Friday, June 25, 2004 at Pekin Living and Rehabilitation Center. He was formerly of 312 Buena Vista, Apt. #7.
Born August 19, 1932 in Ray, Illinois to Andrew Jackson and Lela Sipes Smith, he married Jeanine Adcock on November 1, 1953 in Vermont, Illinois.
Surviving are 3 daughters, Debra Gardner, Darlene Antonio, and Denise (Craig) Dalton, all of Pekin; 1 son, Duane M. (Carole) Smith, Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana; 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; and 2 sisters, Verna Burke and Marcella Long, both of Vermont, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by 2 grandsons, one great-grandson, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Mr. Smith had worked as a truck driver for Pekin Distributing Company for 19 ½ years. Previously, he had worked as a machinist at Pekin Foundry for 19 ½ years.
He served in the United States Marine Corps in the
Korean War, where he was a recipient the Purple Heart.
He was a member of George M. Maple Memorial AMVETS Post #235, Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 1232 (past commander), William Schaefer American Legion Post #44, Pekin Moose Lodge #916, and the Pekin Eagles Aerie #1869. He was a member of the Teamsters and Chauffeurs Union Local #627 in Peoria. He was formerly a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #1271 in Pekin.
Graveside services will be at 11:15 a.m., Monday, June 28, 2004 at War Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Pekin where military graveside rites will be provided by the United States Marine Corps. The Rev. Terry C. Edele will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
RUTH MILES
(1925~2004)
KINGSTON MINES ~ Georgia Ruth Miles, 79, of 201 Scott Street, Kingston Mines, died at 12:18 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2004 at Pekin Hospital.
Born February 2, 1925 in Albia, Iowa to John Jacob and Adeline Smiley Arkless, she married Forrest W. “Forty” Miles on December 24, 1965 in East Peoria. He survives.
Also surviving are three sons, David P. Cox of Morton, Forrest W., Jr. (Jan) Miles of Pontiac and Michael T. Miles of Kingston Mines; six daughters, Kathleen A. Fisher of Morton, Janet L. (Gene) Ferguson and Jeanne E. Goetz, both of East Peoria, Susan L. (Virgil) Kirschner of Iowa, Karen R. (Larry, Jr.) Patterson and Wendy E. (Michael) Wernsman, both of Pekin; twenty grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Becky Sue Miles and two brothers.
She worked for the United States Postal Service for 11 years as a rural mail carrier at Mapleton, retiring in 1989.
She was a member of the Pekin South Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2004 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pekin. Elder Addison Abernathy will officiate. There will be no visitation. Cremation will be accorded. Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall Fund, 2726 Broadway Road, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
REESE BUTLER
(1923~2004)
MARQUETTE HEIGHTS ~ Reese Butler, 81, 111 Radisson Road, died at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born April 28, 1923 in Cullman, Alabama to Roy and Flossie Lovvorn Butler, he married Lois Walker in 1943 in South Carolina. He later married Edna Fern McClary on July 16. 1972 in North Pekin . She survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Eric A. (DeEtta) Butler of Mendenville, Oregon, R. Wayne (Ellen) Butler of Pekin, and W. Jerry (Caroline) Butler of Florida; one daughter, Gale L. (Steven) Mott of Pekin; one step-son, F. Lee Switzer of Pekin ; four step-daughters, Melody A. (DeWayne) Bartels of Peoria, Tammy F. (Terry) Hodge of Apache Junction, Arizona, Darla K. Frazell of Marquette Heights, and Amy S. Foster of Washington; twelve grandchildren; seventeen step-grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Paul (Dorothy) Butler of Bowdon, Georgia and Gerald (Carol) Butler of Texas; and five sisters, Elaine (Bill) Cummings, Delilah (Charlie) Garner, and Betty Farris, all of Berryville, Arkansas, Jean Taylor of Holly Pond, Alabama, and Curt (Curtis) South of Bowdon, Georgia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son (D. Michael Butler), two granddaughters, and two infant brothers.
He was a United States
Army veteran of World War II.
Mr. Butler worked for WABCO in Peoria as a welder for 42 years, retiring in 1988.
He was of the Baptist faith.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, raising beagles, and
hunting.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 26, 2004 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. The Rev. Reggie Russell will officiate. Burial will be in War Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
BETTY A. KINGDON
(1915~2004)
PEKIN ~ Betty Ann Kingdon, 89, 1520 El Camino Drive, died at 9:05 a.m. Sunday, June 20, 2004 at Pekin Manor. She was formerly of 1202 Jefferson Street in Pekin.
Born March 10, 1915 in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Harry and Ann Holmgren Landgren, she married Leon Chester Kingdon on May 5, 1945 in New River, North Carolina. He died September 13, 1985 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother (Carl Landgren).
Surviving are one son, Steven L. (Ricky) Kingdon of Pekin; two grandchildren, Phillip M. (Meaghan) Kingdon of Little Rock, Arkansas and Samantha D. (John) Nelson of Pekin; three great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Robert (Joyce) Landgren of Little Rock, Arkansas.
She was a United States Marine Corps veteran of World War II, serving from March 18, 1943 to November 14, 1945. She attained the rank of Second Lieutenant.
A homemaker, she enjoyed to sew.
Mrs. Kingdon was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pekin and also the St. John’s Guild and Bethlehem Society. She was instrumental in starting the church library in 1974 and served as church librarian for 25 years until retiring in October of 1999. She also was a member of the Pekin Hospital Auxiliary.
She was a volunteer at Good Shepherd Lutheran School and Ewe’s Treasures, both in Pekin.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 2004 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. The Rev. Glenn R. A. Niemann. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 333 State Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
ROBERT C. BROUGHTON
(1953~2004)
PEKIN ~ Robert Charles Broughton, 50, of 1526 Sara Lane, Apartment 3, died at 9:40 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004 at his home.
Born November 2, 1953 in Cowden to Millard Mark “Bud” and Betty Marie Hall Broughton, he married Sharon Denise Kiddy on January 22, 1994 in Houston, Texas. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Joshua (Dawn) Broughton of Chillicothe; two step-daughters, Ashley J. Shaffer and Amanda L. Shaffer, both of Pekin; two grandchildren; two brothers, William M. “Bill” (Nancy) Broughton of Pekin and Roger E. (Myra) Broughton of Mapleton; three sisters, Beverly E. (Don) Byrd of Chatham, Barb J. (Del) Tebbelman of Peoria, and Betty M. (Tony) Schmidt of Peoria; two half-sisters, Bonnie Fullerlove of Waller, Texas and Sandy (Jim) Beck of Pekin.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Millie Near.
He was a 1975 graduate of Illini Bluffs High School in Glasford.
Mr. Broughton owned and operated Now Couriers in Houston, Texas for 6 years. He then worked as a window cleaner for A Bright Way Window Cleaners in Peoria. He last was a route driver for Schwan’s Fine Foods in Pekin.
He attended First Assembly of God in Pekin.
He enjoyed fishing and watching basketball.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. The Rev. Quinn E. McKenzie will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Broughton family in care of CEFCU.
WALTER E. BOOE
(1925~2004)
PEKIN ~ Walter Eugene Booe, 79, of 1405 Hamilton Street, died at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 18, 2004 at Pekin Hospital.
Born January 24, 1925 in Veedersburg, Indiana to Balser Isley and Effie Mae Austin Booe, he married Phyllis Joyce Smith on July 14, 1945 in Sterling, Indiana. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Paul L. Booe of St. Charles, Missouri and Eddie W. Booe of St. Louis, Missouri; one daughter, Peggy A. Booe of Pekin; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Betty Reynolds of Lafayette, Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son (Charlie E. Booe on December 6, 2003 in Peoria), four brothers, and two sisters.
Mr. Booe was a truck driver for 38 years, working for Pittman Tucking in Bartonville, Spector Trucking in Peoria, Bosch Trucking in Bartonville, and last for Lovelace Trucking in Morton. He retired on July 31, 1982.
He was a member of Teamsters and Chauffeurs Union Local #627 in Peoria.
He was of the Baptist faith.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Rev. H. David Clark will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 21, 2004 and also one hour before services Tuesday, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
DOROTHY EITENMILLER
(1928~2004)
PEKIN ~ Dorothy Jane Eitenmiller, 76, of 202 Reservoir Road, died at 6:40 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2004 at her home.
Born March 29, 1928 in Delavan to Elijah and Gertrude Fisher Hardy, she married Vernon Eitenmiller on February 1, 1947 in Pekin. He died in October of 1992. She was also preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
Surviving are one daughter, Linda (Richard) Hartman of Germantown Hills; two grandsons, Lance (Kami) Hawkins and Shane (Amy) Hawkins, both of Pekin ; two great-grandsons; and one brother, Louis (Arlene) Hardy of Murphy, North Carolina.
A homemaker, Mrs. Eitenmiller had worked for Little Star Cleaners in Pekin and later for the American Distilling Company in Pekin until its closing.
She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, and its Quilters Guild. She attended First Assembly of God in Pekin, where she quilted for the women’s ministry.
She played euchre at the Miller Center in Pekin and was a Chicago Cubs baseball fan.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2004 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin. The Rev. Kate Feeney-Bastian will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2004 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel and also one hour before services Monday at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fusion Youth Ministries, 335 Sabella Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554, the Quilters Guild of St. Paul United Church of Christ, 101 North 8th Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554, or the Women’s Ministry of First Assembly of God, 1209 North Parkway Drive, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
JUANITA M. PEDERSEN
(1921~2004)
WEST PEORIA ~ Juanita Marjorie Pedersen, 83, of 2223 West Heading Avenue, died at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, June 17, 2004 at St. Joseph’s Home in West Peoria. She was formerly of Creve Coeur and Pekin.
Born January 29, 1921 in Peoria to Charles and Margie Juanita Lyman Thompson, she married Roy Pedersen on September 18, 1953 in Peoria. He died August 28, 1988 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by one half-brother (Richard Parrish).
Surviving are one son, Gregory L. (Bonnie) Pedersen of Tremont; one daughter, Karen L. (Oscar) Tamez of Peoria; two granddaughters, Angela M. (John) Armstrong of Metamora and Faith M. Pedersen of Tremont; and four great-granddaughters.
She was an elementary school teacher before becoming a radio mechanics instructor at Scott Air Force Base during World War II. She later worked at Caterpillar, Inc. for 9 years in the research department at East Peoria, retiring in 1953.
She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, going to garage sales, and collecting Coca-Cola merchandise.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, where visitation will be one hour before services. The Rev. Kenneth L. Harris will officiate. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Home, 2223 West Heading Avenue, West Peoria, Illinois 61604.
