Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory
Obituaries
Local obituaries for Pekin, Illinois.
Carol L. Gustoff
Dec 27, 2025
Carol L. Gustoff, 83, of Pekin, IL passed away at 3:33 PM Saturday, December 27, 2025 at OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.
Carol was born on April 15, 1942 in Tacoma, WA to Elmer and Margaret R. (Adams) Schimmelpfennig. She married Fred Gustoff on November 17, 1962. He passed away at November 8, 2015.
Also preceding in death are her...
Dennis Wightman
Dec 18, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dennis "Denny" Wightman, who left this world on December 18, 2025, in West Chester, Ohio. Born on December 12, 1950, in Coventry, England, Denny lived a life rich in love, laughter, and purpose.
Denny was the embodiment of a protector and provider for his family, consistently demonstrating a generosity of...
Delores L. DeLong
Dec 15, 2025
Delores L. DeLong, 80, of Pekin, passed away at 1:40 p.m., Monday, December 15, 2025, at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.
She was born to Forest Elmer and Florence Irene (Barrett) Millington in Peoria on December 30, 1944.
She married Donald DeLong in Peoria on May 12, 1984. They enjoyed 41 years of love and joy together.
Delores was preceded in...
Doris Eileen Garman
Dec 8, 2025
Doris Eileen Garman, 101, of Pekin, passed away at 8:41 a.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, at Carle Health Pekin Hospital.
She was born to Lawrence M. and Margaret (Thaller) Cullinan in Dillon Township, Tazewell County, Illinois, on September 9, 1924. She married Herman Garman in January 1947. He preceded her in death after 60 wonderful years of marriage on June 15,...
Barbara C. Theleritis
Dec 6, 2025
Barbara C. Theleritis, 81, of Pekin, IL passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria, IL.
Barb was born on February 10, 1944 in Findlay, OH to Dale and Cartha (Fetters) Critchet. She married Chris Theleritis on November 25, 1967. He passed away on April 1, 2005.
Also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers,...
James N. Rasmussen
Dec 1, 2025
James N. Rasmussen, 76, of Hanna City, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 6:17 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded by his loving family.
Born February 6, 1949, in Pekin, Illinois, to Norman and Betty (Gingrey) Rasmussen, Jim married Christine Sidell, on December 27, 1967, in Pekin. Together they built a beautiful life...
Deborah K. Curtis
Nov 30, 2025
Deborah K. Curtis, 64, of Bloomington, IL passed away at 8:44 AM Sunday, November 30, 2025 at her home.
Debbie was born on June 17, 1961 in Pekin, IL to Harless and Janice (Anderson) Copeland. She married Todd Curtis on August 16, 1986 in Canton, IL.
She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Lyle Curtis.
Surviving are: her husband, Todd of Bloomington;...
Gerald L. Simpson
Nov 29, 2025
Gerald Lee Simpson, 89 of Pekin, IL passed away at 11:40am, Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria. He was born in Pekin to James and Nellie (Hyatt) Simpson on February, 25, 1936. He married Mary Reuling on October 15, 1960.
He was preceded in death by; his parents, one great grandchild, Blair Nation; his in laws,...
Shirley A. Seelye
Nov 28, 2025
Shirley Annette Seelye, 77, of rural Manito, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones and under the compassionate care of the staff at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Shirley was born on February 7, 1948 to Ralph Ryals Sr. and Lola Maddie Gallagher Ryals.
Shirley graduated from Yulee–Fernandina Beach High School, FL in 1966. She...
Pete Lard
Nov 27, 2025
Harold Stanley “Pete” Lard, 83, of Pekin, passed away at 12:20 p.m. Thursday, November 27, 2025, at The Lodge in Manito.
Pete was born on February 22, 1942, in Springfield, Illinois, to Earl and Mary (Evans) Lard. He married Patricia Barry on August 8, 1964, at St. Mary’s Church in Pawnee, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; three...
Justin Patrick Cooney
Nov 18, 2025
Justin Patrick Cooney, 30, of East Peoria, IL passed away at 2:00 AM Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at his home.
Justin was born on March 19, 1995 in Bridgeton, MO to Frank and Nikole A. (Miller) Antosiak.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank.
Surviving are: his parents, Nikole and Eric Cooney of East Peoria; one sister, Autumn R. (Tyler) Richardson...
Gordon Dale Spain
Nov 14, 2025
Gordon Dale Spain, 89, of Chillicothe, passed away peacefully at 8:35 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, in the comfort of his home and in his favorite chair.
Born on August 10, 1936, in Logan, Illinois, to Roy and Nina (Hubbs) Spain, Gordon married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Todd, in Logan on September 3, 1955. Together, they shared 70 cherished...
Diana Lynne Bell-Lang
Nov 12, 2025
Diana Lynne Bell-Lang, 77 of Pekin passed away at 1:40 pm, Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Pekin Manor.
She was born on January 5, 1948 in Peoria, IL to Donald and Phyllis (Frame) Cole. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Don and Gary and one sister, Sandy.
Diana is survived by; her life partner of 30 years, Robert...
Royce Milton Taylor II
Nov 6, 2025
Royce Milton Taylor II, aged 70, passed away on November 6, 2025, at his residence in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Formerly a resident of Pekin, Illinois, Royce was born on January 3, 1955, to Royce Milton and Doris (Johnson) Taylor.
Royce grew up in Pekin and attended schools within the Pekin school system, ultimately graduating from Pekin Community High School in 1973....
Douglas Eugene Phillips
Nov 3, 2025
Douglas Eugene Phillips, 63 of Canton, IL passed away at 4:00 pm, Monday, November 3,2025 at Graham Hospital Association in Canton.
Douglas was born to George and Phyllis (Russel) Phillips in Peoria on May 29, 1962. His parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by: two brothers, Kevin (Tonya) Phillips of Pekin, and Robert Phillips of Canton; and two nieces, Lindsey...
Wanda O. Seelye
Oct 22, 2025
Wanda O. Seelye, 80, of Pekin passed away at 6:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria.
She was born in Pekin to Thomas and Olive (Taylor) Norman on July 21, 1945. She married Wayne Edward “Buck” Seelye Sr. on June 13, 1961, in Pekin. He preceded her in death on April 27, 2005. She was...
Paula E. Dietsche
Oct 18, 2025
Paula E. Dietsche, 72, of Pekin, IL, passed away unexpectedly due to a heart condition at 4:16 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in the Carle Health Pekin Hospital Emergency Room, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on June 22, 1953, in Peoria, IL, to Kenneth and Carol Jean (Romine) Dietsche, Paula grew up with a spirited heart and...
Jacky Jones
Oct 16, 2025
Jacqueline B. "Jacky" Jones, 93, of Pekin, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at Carle Health Methodist in Peoria.
Born on March 30, 1932, in Joliet, Illinois, to James R. and Zora (Tusek) Stapleton Sr., Jacky grew up with a spirit of warmth, resilience—exemplified by her courageous journey as a long-time...
Lucas William Martin Abegg
Oct 15, 2025
Lucas William Martin Abegg, 13, of Pekin passed away unexpectedly at 3:25 a.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at his home.
He was born to Jordan Abegg and Brittany (Simpson) Abegg in Pekin on December 16, 2011.
Lucas is survived by: his mother, Brittany (Zane Rafael) Abegg of Pekin; his father, Jordan R. (Michaela) Abegg of Manito, Ill.; seven siblings, Logan (his twin...
Mary Ann Carl
Oct 11, 2025
Mary Ann Carl, 86, of Pekin, Illinois passed away on October 11, 2025 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.
Mary Ann was born in Pekin on January 1, 1939 to John A. and Mary Louise (Scruggs) Gleason. She married Walter (Walt) William Carl on October 22, 1966, and the two enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage. Together,...
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