John Wiley Arington Jr.

Born January 10, 1939, in Anniston, Missouri to John W. and Vashti (Miller) Arington Sr., he married Harriet Arington on March 27, 1990, in Charleston, Missouri. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Johnny “DeWayne” (Roberta) Arington of Bartonville, Illinois; one daughter, Cynthia Spears of Marietta, Georgia; one step-daughter, Crystal (Bill) Piper of Pekin, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Michelle (Kevin) Kennedy, Josiah (Jessica) Arington, Joshua (Suzanne) Arington, David Arington, Jonathan Arington, Elizabeth Spears, Christine (Stephen) Courtade, Chelsea Piper and Kailey (Pauly) Everly; seventeen great-grandchildren, Nevaeh, Inara, Jovan, Jenavieve, Orrin, Judson, Grady, Keagan, Jael, Karis, Aletha, Lana, Lillian, Rosaleigh, Emma, Gracie, and Charlee; one great-great-granddaughter, Eliza and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings, Laura Parker, Charlie Arington and Jack Arington and one miscarried great-grandchild, Hope.

John was a member of the Masonic Temple and Elks Lodge in Peoria as well as the German American Society and Peoria County Auxiliary Police.

He was a security guard at Caterpillar, Inc., retiring in 1990.

John attended First Church of God in Pekin and enjoyed helping with the church garden.

He was an auction addict, collecting all sorts of things. He enjoyed going hunting and fishing, making wine, woodworking with his friends and tending to his aquarium when he previously had one.

He was always volunteering to help his family and friends whenever they had need. He loved his family dearly and always enjoyed spending time with them.

His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Stephen Greer will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior. Cremation has been accorded. Burial will be at Dogwood Cemetery in Dogwood, Missouri at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637. St. Jude was close to his heart because of the work he did to help the St. Jude Midwest affiliate get started in Peoria.

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