Edward Paul Dart

He was born on September 19, 1941 in Jesup, GA a son of Russell Maurice and Emma Pauline Dubose Dart. He married Carol Kawolsky on April 6, 1961. They later divorced.

Surviving are six children, Elise (Gerald) Emery of East Peoria, Tamara (William) Vestal of North Pekin, Paul (Terrie) Dart of Blue Grass, IA, Michelle (Dan) Kellum of New Iberia, LA, Rebecca (Jason) Collis of Erie, and Jennifer (Tim) Hayden of Huntley; one brother, Russell (Sue) Dart of Pearland, TX; one sister, Sarah Ferrero of Ft. White, FL; 16 grandchildren, Jessamyn, Brec, Kara, Wyatt, Billy (Melissa), Vanessa, Mitchel, Tatum, Jordan, Carlie, Teagan, Jadyn, Sydney, Camden, Macy, and Luke; three great grandchildren, Hunter, Charlotte, and Lilly; and his coffee drinking buddy, Paul Kawolsky.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Elwood Dart, and one son, Jeffrey Michael Dart.

He was employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company for 30 years retiring in 2001.

He was a member of UAW Local 974 in East Peoria.

Ed was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and a season ticket holder for the Peoria Riverman.

He played softball for many years and was on the Senior Softball Players League. He was the Coach for his grandson’s Pekin Youth Hockey Team. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, watching birds, gardening, and riding motorcycles. He enjoyed cooking and was known for his Swedish meatballs at Christmas and Spaghetti.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday May 18, 2010 at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. Pastor Jim Hawkes will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fon du Lac Cemetery in East Peoria.

Memorials may be made to the Pekin Youth Hockey Team.