Doris Eileen Garman

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, 2007.She was also preceded in death by her parents; one grandchild, Page Garman; two daughters-in-law, Billie Garman and Debbie Garman; three brothers, Robert, Thomas, and Daniel; and three sisters, Patricia Smith, Mary Lou Bozarth, and Kathleen Iber.

Doris is survived by four sons, Lee Garman of Manito, Richard (Anna) Garman of Pekin, Roger Garman of Glasford, and Kevin Garman of Pekin; two daughters, Linda (Michael) Raney of Portland, Oregon, and Gayle (Gary Falxa) Garman of Eureka, California; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Doris worked in the 1940’s for the Telephone Company as a switch board operator. She was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, where she was an active and cherished part of the Altar and Rosary Society. Her generous spirit extended far beyond the parish: she served as a devoted 35-year American Red Cross volunteer, belonged to Church Women United, bowled with joy in both the Golden Girls and Club 55 leagues, and proudly supported the Tazewell County Farm Bureau.

A woman of many talents, Doris found beauty in creating with her hands. She lost herself in good books, crafted intricate needlework, painted vivid oil landscapes, and enjoyed puzzles. Her gardens were legendary, bursts of glorious flowers surrounding bountiful rows of vegetables that fed family and friends alike. Above all, Doris embodied the heart of the quintessential farm wife: tireless, resourceful, and gracious. She raised six children with steady love, kept an immaculate home, canned the harvest, baked from scratch, and still found time to make every person who walked through her door feel truly welcomed and cared for. Her family was the joy of her 101 years; she loved them fiercely, prayed for them daily, and left each one richer for the boundless tenderness she poured into their lives.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, with Father Michael Andrejek officiating. Visitation will be held in the church parish center from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. that same day. The ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society will pray the Rosary for Doris in the church prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Pekin.

Doris' family is being served by Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell County Carol House of Hope or to St. Joseph School.

To view Doris’ Funeral Mass, go to Doris' Youtube Mass Link