Douglas S. Snell

Born December 31, 1950 in Pekin to Robert Joseph and Eloise Aileen (Crabtree) Snell, he was raised on the “old” Pekin Airport managed and operated by his parents. Doug married Paula Sue Trueblood on August 20, 1977 at First Baptist Church in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Matthew Scott (Joy) Snell of Herrin and Andrew Nathan Snell of Pekin; one brother, Robert Byron (Marjorie) Snell of La Vernia, Texas; two brothers-in-law, Ronald Trueblood of East Peoria and Mark “Ed” Trueblood of Lacon; one sister-in-law, Diana Trueblood of Pekin and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Paul and Alice Trueblood; and brother-in-law, Farrell Trueblood.

A 1968 graduate of Pekin Community High School, Doug was active musically, playing the clarinet and saxophone through high school and in college. He formerly played with the Pekin Municipal Band under Larry Fogelberg and with several local dance and jazz bands.

He was a 1972 graduate of Augustana College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology after which he then graduated in 1973 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with his Mortuary Science degree.

Doug was a trusted funeral director and embalmer with Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin and Creve Coeur from September of 1973 until retiring in March of 2014. He also worked at Larson Funeral Home in Rock Island from October 1976 to June of 1979.

He was a former member and past chairman of the Pekin Marigold Festival Executive Committee and a longtime member and past president of the Pekin Lions Club. He was a 2006 graduate of the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy and later served on the United Way of Pekin Board of Directors. He was a former director of the Pekin Jaycees and a member of Empire Lodge 126, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in Pekin.

Doug was a person of faith, enjoyed reading the Bible, and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pekin.

Doug loved to entertain family and friends with imaginative stories of his adventures of other lives including being a passenger on the Titanic, summiting Mt. Everest, being a mine sweeper in the military, attending Woodstock, and maintaining an alternate family life in a neighboring community, among others. He especially loved time spent with family and friends at the Lake of the Ozarks, playing trivia, watching the latest movies followed by pizza and fellowship with friends, and participating in Food Club antics. He will be remembered as a caring and selfless husband, father, and friend.

Doug’s family would like to thank all of his caregivers for helping him through this Journey, including Kyle’s Care, Reflections Memory Care, and Transitions Hospice.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Josh Trueblood and Pastor Judy Doyle will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Alzheimer’s Association, 614 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.

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