Eugene P. "Gene" Antonini

Eugene P. 'Gene' Antonini, 76, died at 5:43 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2012, in Kindred Hospital in Peoria, with his family by his side. Gene was born August 18, 1936, in Pekin to Angelo and Stella Margelli Antonini.He married Carol Calico on Feb, 4, 1961, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton. Carol preceded Gene in death Aug. 8, 2011.He was also preceded in death by one brother, Adolph. Surviving are two sons, Mark (Nadine) Antonini of Palos Heights, IL and Todd (Tracy Macura) Antonini of Houston, Texas; three granddaughters, Melena, Francesca and Giannetta Antonini of Palos Heights, IL; one brother, Richard 'Dick' (Kay) Antonini of Las Vegas, NV; three sisters, Della (James 'Ink') Thomas of Groveland, Louise (Bill) Waddell of Pekin and Donna (Bob) Henderson of Manito. Gene served in the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division from 1956-1960.He was able to see history in the making, participating in the Little Rock Nine Civil Rights crisis in 1957.Upon returning home from the Army his passion became home design and construction.Along with his father and brother Dick, he owned Antonini Builders, constructing many beautiful homes, communities and businesses throughout the Pekin area until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, the Archbishop Schlarman Council 3501 Knights of Columbus Pekin, the International Thunderbird Car Club and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 644 of Pekin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church with Father James Pankiewicz officiating.Entombment will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Pekin. Military Honors will be conduct by the United States Army and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Henderson Funeral Home in Pekin with recitation of the Rosary following the visitation. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Lifeline Pilots 6100 West Dirksen Parkway Peoria, IL 61607. Online condolences may be made at www.hendersonfuneralcare.com. Cemetery Glendale Memorial Gardens 18119 Illinois Route 9 Pekin,IL 61554 Service Thursday, September 6, 2012 10:00 AM St. Joseph's Catholic Church 303 S. 7th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Wednesday, September 5, 2012 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554