Josephine Adams

Born January 22, 1933 in South Pekin to Jose and Florence E. (Phillips) Ortega, she married Kenneth LeRoy “Ken” Adams on February 18, 1951 in Peoria. He died March 15, 2022 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and one sister.

Surviving are two daughters, Dianna Adams of Peoria and Gloria (Richard) Lanhardt of Pekin; one son, Kenneth LeRoy (Patti) Adams, Jr. of Fort Myers, Florida; five grandchildren, Richard Dean Lanhardt, Jr. of Fort Myers, Florida, Nichol (Sean) Vest of Kansas City, Missouri, Tara (Kevin) Strickland of Galivant Ferry, South Carolina, Kyle Chestnut of Deerfield Beach, Florida and Traci Chestnut of Port Charlotte, Florida; eight great-grandchildren, Tiffany Lanhardt, Dalton Vest, Dawson Vest, Dillon Vest, Abigail Strickland, Emmalyn Strickland, Peyton Chestnut and Rilee Chestnut; one great-great-granddaughter, Madeline Wade; three brothers, Felipe Ortega of Gainesville, Missouri, Jose (Pat) Ortega of Peoria and Stanley (Cindy) Ortega of Cabool, Missouri; four sisters, Delores (Blaine) Dufarin of Woodland, Juanita Callear of East Peoria, Terry Ortega of West Plains, Missouri and Christine Norris of Peoria and numerous nieces and nephews.

Josie worked for Ideal Troy in Peoria for 17 years, retiring in 1994.

She enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed reading, crafting and taking cruises.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor James C. McClarey will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

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