Pastor Eugene R. Hooker

Born June 29, 1931 in Steele, Missouri to Charles and Alma (Ray) Hooker, he married Ruth Erline Proctor on April 15, 1949 in Hernando, Mississippi. She died December 20, 2015 in Pekin. He then married Marlyn Jane (Carroll) Winder on February 14, 2021 at East Peoria.

Surviving are his wife, Marlyn of Morton; one son, Pastor James R. (Beth) Hooker of Wood River; three daughters, Kathy (Dennis) Schoenman of Washington, Theresa L. (Glen) Belcher of Saltillo, Mississippi and Tina S. (Lee) Watson of Guntown, Mississippi; one stepson, Jerry Winder of Morton; three step-daughters, Cindy (Ron) Stewart of East Peoria, Connie (Roger) Hillier of Clearwater, Florida and Shelly (Ed) Grundy of Washington; seven grandchildren, Brian Schoenman, Brandon (Erin) Schoenman, Andrea Hooker, Zachary (Lydia) Belcher, Ethan Belcher, Kaylee (Anthony) Thompson and Schyler Watson; eight step grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, Audrey Schoenman, Titus Pritchard, Nolan Schoenman, Owen Pritchard, Chase Belcher and Luke Belcher; sixteen step-great-grandchildren and seven step-great-great-grandchildren and one brother, Lindell (Pat) Hooker of Du Quoin.

He also was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Norma Shaver and Ilene Tripp.

A graduate of Moody Bible College, Pastor Hooker was a Pastor and Bishop in full-time ministry with the Church of God of Prophecy in churches in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Mississippi. In all, he enjoyed more than 70 years in Christian ministry.

Gene loved to read and lead Bible studies. He was a member of the board of Central Illinois Agency on Aging. He also had been a longtime volunteer at Southside Mission in Peoria.

He attended Glad Tidings Assembly of God in East Peoria.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2022 at Glad Tidings Assembly of God in East Peoria. Pastor Paul Hinzman, Pastor James Hooker, his son, and Pastor Brandon Schoenman, his grandson, will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur.

Memorial contributions may be made to Glad Tidings Assembly of God, 2201 East Washington, East Peoria, IL 61611.

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