Rebecca J. Matheny

Rebecca J. "Becky" Matheny, 75 of Pekin, passed away at 12:28 am, Saturday, March 15, 2025 at her home. She was born in Pekin to Sherman C. and Elizabeth A. (Lunini) Matheny on May 23, 1949. Becky was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, William L. Matheny; one nephew, Timothy R. Clark-Matheny. Becky is survived by; one sister, Mary F. Matheny; sister-in-law, Ann Matheny; niece, Saprina A. (Gwen Briscoe) Matheny; nephew, Michael T. (Lindsy Endersbe) Matheny, niece, Elise (Joshua) Brue; great-nephew, Reese Matheny; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was afflicted by M.S. at the age of 14 which caused her loss of sight. Even with these challenges, she went on to become accomplished in her field of work and all areas of her life. Becky graduated from Peoria Central High School and received a B.S. and Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of Illinois and her Masters in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Michigan. She worked at two county health departments providing nutritional advise to expectant mothers and mothers of infants and children. Later, she also taught nutrition classes at San Diego State University. In more recent years, she has written and published two books presenting advice to prevent or correct obesity for parents of infants to teens, A Healthy Weight; The Best Birthday Gift for Your Child, and for men and women with weight problems, Trimming Your Waistline. Between the classes and books, in memory of their mother Elizabeth, Becky and her sister, Mary and brother, Bill, established Citizens for Animal Welfare and Shelter (CAWS). This program with the generous cooperation of Dr. Kevin ORourke at Lange Animal Clinic (Pekin) and Dr. Mark Larson at Tender Care (Morton) provided low-cost spay & neuter services for families who could not afford such procedures for their pets. She greatly appreciated and supported the help of these vets and their staffs and the caring volunteers who conducted many fundraising activities over 12 years to support this organization for the benefit of animal care. She devoted much of her time & energy to the care, adoption and well-being of animals in Pekin. Beckys Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory with Father Michael Andrejek officiating. A visitation will be one hour prior, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm also at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin. Memorials may be made in Beckys name to a local pet shelter. To leave an online condolence, visit www.hendersonfuneralcare.com Visitation Wednesday, March 19, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554 Funeral Service Wednesday, March 19, 2025 1:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554