Earl D Kyle

Pete was born on December 19, 1946 in Ashland, Wisconsin to Robert Earl and Grace (Montgomery) Kyle. He met his love and eternal teammate Gay Lynn Crafton in 1964 and they were married on June 25, 1967 in Pekin. They have spent the last 47 years holding hands and sharing their love and faith with their family and friends. She survives and awaits the day that she can hold his hand again.

He is also survived by his children, Carol (Larry) Myers of Eureka and Don (Sheila) Kyle of Princeton; and three granddaughters who adored their grandfather. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all he knew.

He was met at the pearly gates by his parents and one sister, Marion Shambrook.

Pete graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1964 and entered the United States Air Force shortly thereafter. He spent a year and a half in the Philippines during his service before returning home in 1967. He and Gay lived in Nebraska until he was honorably discharged in 1968 when they returned to Pekin.

Pete worked for Excel Brass and Foundry as a machinist for over 30 years and retired in April 2009.

One of the things Pete loved most in his life was spending time in the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman but mostly just enjoyed any time spent watching the eternal beauty of God painted across the landscape. He planted over 800 trees on the property of the home he shared with Gay. He was also a master gardener and often helped others with their plantings and gardens. This love of helping others to learn and the great outdoors also extended into his activities with the Boy Scouts. He was a lifelong Boy Scout and spent time as an assistant troop leader and member of the troop council. During this time, one of his most treasured memories was canoeing the boundary waters with his son who was also a Boy Scout.

Pete was also a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manito, a prolific blood donor throughout his life, member and current president of the Circle 8 square dancing club, and proud supporter of his beloved Green Bay Packers. He also was a proud supporter of our military and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He most recently has served on the TACT service team which performs the honor ceremonies for veterans during funerals.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 20, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manito. The Rev. Gary Weaver will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin and also from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Monday at the church. Pete will be laid to rest under a beautiful oak tree at the Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka at 2:30 p.m. Monday where military honors will be accorded. Friends are welcome to come and share memories of Pete at the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family would love any memorials to be made to the Forman Valley Public Library, Post Office Box 710, Manito, IL 61546 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 4722 North Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61614.

The family would also like to extend a special thank you for the love and support from the Neurosciences intensive care unit at OSF.

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