John W Nash

Born Apr. 25, 1947 in Pekin to Jesse and Opal (Taylor) Nash, he married Deborah (Lee) Merritt on October 26, 1993 in Pekin.

Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, John (Lori) Nash, Jr.  and Jesse Nash, both of Pekin; 3 daughters, Joanne King of Pekin, Melinda (Robert) McDaniels of Lemoore, Calif. and Christina Thompson of South Pekin; 15 grandchildren, including Abreoni Merritt, who he helped raise and to whom he was especially attached; 1 brother, David (Diane) Nash of Creve Coeur; and 1 sister, Linda Dudley of Pekin.

John was preceded in death by his parents; 1 son, Randall Merritt; 1 brother; and 1 sister.

He worked for Greenview Landscaping in Peoria for 26 years before moving to Missouri in 1993.  He then worked for Warm Fork Woodland saw mill for 10 years.

John enjoyed his horses, racing stock cars; NASCAR, squirrel and deer hunting, and attending auctions.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 4, 2010 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes and Crematory in Pekin.  Rev. Sammy Bargar will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2010.  Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery  in rural San Jose.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4234 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL 61614 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.