Gladys L Conkright

Born July 7, 1920 in Knoxville, to Lester E. and Jennie (Montgomery) McBeth, she married Frank Eugene Baxter on September 20, 1939 in Kohokia, Missouri. He passed away in 1948. She later married Hubert Stanton “Conky” Conkright on January 19, 1950 in Knoxville. He passed away February 3, 2013 in Pekin.

Surviving are one son, Larry E. (Kitty) Baxter of Chillicothe; one daughter, Patricia J. “Patti” (Lonnie) Ford of Glasford; three grandchildren, Lisa (Troy) Benson and Frank (Lore) Baxter, both of Chillicothe and Kimberly (Kevin) George of Bartonville; six great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters.

Gladys had been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pekin since 1958.

She had worked as a sales clerk for J.C. Penny in Pekin for 22 years, retiring in 1984. She also worked for the Mayo Military Hospital in Galesburg during World War II.

Since 1972, Gladys was a member of the Women of the Moose Chapter #673 in Pekin. She also was a member of the Pekin Hospital Auxiliary since 1982, holding several offices on the auxiliary board throughout the years. She enjoyed volunteer work, traveling, crafting and being among friends. She traveled all fifty states plus Canada and Mexico with her husband. They enjoyed wintering in Florida for 39 years.

Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Rev. Walter Wilkins will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Knoxville City Cemetery in Knoxville.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Greater Peoria Honor Flights at P.O. Box 5072 Peoria, IL 61601 or to the Glasford American Legion “Avenue of Flags” at 11319 South Glasford Rd. Glasford, IL 61533.

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