Jimmy D Armstrong

PEKIN ~ Jimmy Dean Armstrong, 80, of Pekin, went to his home on December 7, 2015.  He was born on March 19, 1935 in Peoria to Rosella (Moffet) Dees and Alva Armstrong.   Preceding him in death were his mother; father; one sister, Betty Lou Howerter; and one nephew.

He married Constance Armstrong on June 10, 1977.  She survives.

Also surviving are one sister, Shirley A. Sydnor of Peoria; children, John Armstrong (Tami) of Pekin, Sandra Swink (Jimmy) of Clinton, Tonya Burris(Greg) of Pekin, Nichole Pearson of Pekin, Eugene Pearson (Aimee) of  Marquette Heights, and Philip Wells of Toulon.  Jimmy is also survived by eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew all of whom were dear to his heart.

Jimmy and his two best friends enrolled in the United States Army together.  He served in the Army in Germany from 1952 to 1956.

He worked for the Rock Island Railroad and local truck lines in Peoria.  After retirement he worked for the Corps of Engineers in Shelbyville for twenty years.  Jimmy thoroughly enjoyed the campers and fishermen he came into contact with during his time with the corps.

Jimmy had the ability to make everyone feel comfortable with him and then it would always turn to love and admiration for his gentle and caring nature.  He inherited a wanderlust from his mother’s side from many generations back.  His mother, Rosella, called him a gypsy as he was always on the go. His wife Connie took exceptional care of him throughout his illness and was deeply loved by Jimmy.  His ancestry was from the border between Scotland and England. 

Per Jimmy’s wishes, there will be no services.  Cremation will be accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorials may be made to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL  61615.

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

Memory. Oh! Memory

How affectionate it will be

When far, far away

In other lands, I'll be

It's then I'll cast reflections back,

To the place of youthful days,

When brothers, sisters with me stayed

In hopes of future happiness

And as we scattered to and fro,

May happiness ever be our lot.

And when we're called from Earth away

In heaven may we never part