Elberta Mae Fitzgerald

Born February 6, 1926 in rural San Jose to Roy T. and Leona Fay (Pyle) Drake, she first married Ray E. Hoffman. He died on November 15, 1962. She married Leon J. Fitzgerald on June 7, 1964 in Mason City. He died April 9, 2007. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one infant daughter, Linda Faye Hoffman; one brother, Irvin Leroy “Bub” Drake and one sister, Lenna Fletcher.

Surviving are one son, Larry (Louise) Hoffman of North Pekin; two grandchildren, Ray Hoffman of Brooklet, Georgia and Collett (David) Dekeyser of Morton; four great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Hoffman and Mason Hoffman, Kelcee Dekeyser and Kaitlyn Dekeyser and one great-grandson, Kayden Gilbert.

Before marrying Leon and moving to Pekin in 1964, Elberta had worked for Wolls Grocery Store in San Jose and was a secretary at the San Jose Grade School.

She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Tremont.

Her graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Green Hill Cemetery in San Jose. There will be no visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com