Ilene M. Harms

Ilene M. Harms, age 98, of Midland, MI, a longtime resident of Peoria, Illinois, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026. She was born on December 4, 1927, to Henry and Lena Palmer in Pekin, Illinois. She attended Pekin Public Schools and graduated from Pekin High School.

Ilene married James Harms in 1947 after he returned from serving with Patton’s army in Europe during WWII. Jim and Ilene operated Creve Coeur Realty in Creve Coeur, IL, for many years. They loved traveling all over the U.S. and Europe, returning from one trip while planning for the next. Ilene was devoted to her faith and was very active in her church, Redeemer Lutheran in Peoria, IL. In 2014, after Jim’s death, Ilene moved to Midland, MI, to live close to her daughter, Marcia.

Ilene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Ralph Palmer. Ilene is survived by her daughter, Marcia Hahnfeld (Jerry) of Midland, MI, and her son, Kenneth Harms (Jan) of Pagosa Springs, CO, her grandchildren Matthew, Laura, Jessica, Jamilyn, and Jaclyn, and her great-grandson, Orion.

Ilene will be buried following a graveside service at Glendale Memorial Gardens, Pekin, IL, at 11:00 on Saturday, June 6 with Pastor Chip Winter officiating. Ilene’s arrangements have been entrusted to Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.StJude.org.