Jesse L. Fahnders

Jesse Fahnders, 92, of Pekin, passed into eternity on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Born in a farmhouse in Groveland, Illinois in 1932 to Louis & Mary Fahnders, he was greeted by sister, Dorothy. Jesse was raised in the Lutheran Church, was a believer in Jesus and in doing the right thing. He had recovered from cardiac arrest and afterwards, shared his testimony that he had a glimpse of a beautiful Heaven. He liked to help others in need as he was helped throughout his life. In his youth, Jesse was industrious and worked for the Central Illinois Light Company, delivering bills by bicycle. He attended Bradley University as a pre-med student, but left to begin what was to be a nearly 50 year career with Caterpillar Tractor Company. Jesse began that career as an electrician, moved to tool design, then to planning. Fluent in German and Portuguese, Jesse traveled to many countries for Cat, including Germany and Brazil, as he consulted on many projects. Jesse was an intelligent, creative inventor and builder, loved a good practical joke, had a beautiful singing voice, loved classical music and enjoyed being a Ham radio operator, Boy Scout, and an avid outdoorsman. He was a Mason, as his father was before him. Jesse is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara (Eudaily), sons Jim (Anne) and Daniel, daughter Elizabeth (Reed) Soldwedel, 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. His beloved Oreo was particularly important to Jesse, as she provided unconditional love and companionship to him. It would please Jesse if any memorials would be made to support T.A.P.S. in Pekin. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer.