G. Lavon Engel

Born July 19, 1938 in Waynesville to George and Vivian (Harpster) Gillespie. She married Raymond Richard Engel on September 1, 1956. They later divorced.

Surviving are three sons, Jim (Tina) Engel of Woodward, Oklahoma, Robert “Bob” Engel of Pekin and Mark Engel of Creve Coeur; six grandchildren, Tanner Engel and Mike Engel, both of Woodward, Oklahama, Michelle Engel, Nikki Engel and Adam Engel all of Pekin and Carl (Sandra) Riley of Douglasville, Georgia; 11 great-grandchildren and one brother, Edward (Martha) Gillespie of DeKalb.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Carl Patrick Engel; one infant great-granddaughter and one brother, David Gillespie.

Lavon had worked in housekeeping at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria for 18 years. She had previously worked at Biech Candy Company and Congerville Elementary School District 140. She also had worked at Sears in Peoria for 20 years.

She was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and NASCAR. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and feeding the squirrels and birds. Her greatest enjoyment was spending quality time with her children and grandchildren.

Lavon was a former member of Liberty Baptist Church in Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor David Auxier will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 Wood Sage Road, Peoria, Illinois 61615.

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