John Merlin William Avery

Born October 6, 1923 in Beardstown, he was the son of William Lawrence and Dorothy Lucinda Priscilla (Loring) Avery. He married Loraine Lorie Merritt on August 2, 1942 in Palmyra, Missouri. She died April 24, 2006 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one son, William G. Avery; one son-in-law, Dr. David Danner; one granddaughter, Bryn Hartman; one sister, Nellie Kahler and one brother, Lawrence “Babe” Avery.

Surviving are two daughters, Sharon Danner of Pekin and Cindy (Randy) Kohtz of Tremont; eight grandchildren, Dr. Michael (Julie) Danner of Tremont, Sarah (Michael) Masters of Normal, Matthew (Tammie) Avery, Mark (Amy) Avery, both of Mackinaw, Brandon (Caitlin) Kohtz of Washington, Joshua (Tia) Kohtz of Pekin; John Michael Avery of Stearns, Kentucky, Bryce (Julie) Ford of San Diego, California and eighteen great-grandchildren, Abbie Danner, Jacob Danner, Ellery Danner, Luke Avery, Will Avery, Noah Avery, Mikaela Avery, Emily Masters, Katherine Masters, Ady Cook, Spence Kohtz, Watson Kohtz, Louie Kohtz, Tayte Kohtz, Sawyer Kohtz, Kennedy Ford, Jackson Ford and Holden Hartman.

He was a United States Army Air Forces veteran of World War II. John was an aircraft sheet metal worker in the military and served in China, India and Burma. He attained the rank of Sergeant.

He was a retired member of Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 104 in San Francisco, California. His work included large scale projects throughout the United States including nuclear plants. In the Peoria area he was proud to have designed and built the slide at 401 Water Street in Peoria, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

He loved fishing when outside and enjoyed building and fixing things on the inside. He was gifted as a woodworker and in metal craft.

Family was a priority to him and he and his wife were longtime members of Liberty Baptist Church in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor David Auxier will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Air Force and the Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

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