He was born on January 29, 1955 in Grundy Center, Iowa to Dr. Cecil Wayne and Shirley (Orndorff) Lange. He grew up in Ames and Fort Madison, Iowa, and lived in Pekin from 1965 until his death. Jeff graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1973 and from Iowa State University in 1977, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Jeff married Janet M. Walker on June 17, 1978 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Meg (Brandon) Smith of Decatur, Georgia and Betsy (Jason) Hofer of Peoria; one son, Robert Lange of Chicago; six grandchildren, Eloise Smith, Theodore Smith, Juniper Smith, Sydney Hofer, Brady Hofer and Penny Hofer; one brother, Scott (Mary) Lange of Maize, Kansas; one sister, Nancy (Richard) Kriegsman of Pekin and numerous nieces and nephews.
His parents preceded him in death.
In 1977, Albert Bottin hired Jeff to work at American Savings and Loan, thus helping him launch a 43-year career in banking. He retired in 2020 from Busey Bank, where he was Assistant Vice President and a Private Wealth Advisor. In his role in the Trust Department, first at Herget Bank and then at Busey, Jeff helped innumerable clients with great care, personal attention, and affection. He was a Certified Financial Planner, a Licensed Insurance Producer, and a graduate of the ABA National Graduate Trust School.
Jeff was a devoted volunteer with his church, community, and profession. As a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Pekin, Jeff served as Treasurer since 2010. He presently served as a member and participant with the Tazewell County St. Jude Golf Committee and as a Board Member of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois since 2017. He was a longtime member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Pekin, where he chaired the Peanut Day and the Gumball service projects and was awarded by his club a George F. Hixson Fellow. He also was a member and past chair of the Marigold Festival Executive Committee from 2012 to 2017 and was serving on the Central Illinois Estate Planning Council since 1989.
He previously served on Pekin Area Foundation for Educational Excellence, Board of Directors from 2001 to 2008, serving as President from 2005 to 2007; on the Community Concert Association Board of Directors from 1998 to 2014, serving as President from 2003 until 2014 and the United Way of Pekin Board of Directors from 1991 to 1994, serving as President in 1993 and as Campaign Manager in 1992. He was proud to have served on the Pekin Public School District 303 Referendum Committee in 1996 and as Master of Ceremonies for the Pekin Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner in 1995. He was a former member of the Rotary Club of Pekin from 1980 to 1986 and the Institute of Financial Education Board of Directors, Peoria Chapter 80, from 1979 to 1982.
Jeff was an avid golfer and a member of Pekin Country Club. He enjoyed music and was known as a trivia buff. Jeff was known for his quick wit and humor. He was an ardent Cardinals, Iowa State and Packers fan. His last moments were spent yelling at the Packers. Jeff was a true family man. He loved being a husband, father, and Papa to his six grandchildren. Jeff was beloved by everyone in the Lange and Walker families. He cherished time with his many friends and was always up for a road trip, vacation (especially at the beach), or party.
His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021 at First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin. David Taylor will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, and also from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday the church. The family asks those in attendance to please wear a mask. Cremation has been accorded.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, 3625 North Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61604; United Way of Pekin, P.O. Box 324, Pekin, IL 61555; or to the Tazewell County St. Jude Golf Outing, 310 Country Club Drive, Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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