Martha J Heiser

Born November 25, 1942 in Streator to Eldred B. "Al" and Helen (Kell) Forbes, she married Gary L. Heiser on December 2, 1961 in Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are one son, Lance L. (Diane) Heiser of Naperville; one daughter, Kendra H. (Randall) McDaniels of Pekin; five grandchildren, Morgan Raylea McDaniels, Kelen Kendal McDaniels, Rhenna Jane McDaniels, all of Pekin, Schuyler Lee Heiser and Chayton Lee Heiser, both of Naperville; one brother, Robert J. Forbes of Webster Grove, Missouri and one sister, Richye Ellen Forbes-Herlihy of Pekin.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Martha worked as a real estate agent for 20 years, retiring in 2001 from Coldwell Banker in Pekin.

She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where she formerly was a member of the Sanctuary Choir. She was a longtime member of the Pekin Civic Chorus.

An active community volunteer, Martha was a charter member and past chairman of the Pekin Marigold Festival Committee. She was a former member of the Dirksen Guild and the Boys and Girls Club of Pekin Board of Directors. She was presently serving on the Pekin YWCA Board of Directors and its membership committee. She also was a member of the Pekin Hospital Foundation Ball Committee.

She was devoted to her grandchildren and enjoyed traveling and collecting dolls.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday,August 11, 2007at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2007at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, and also from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 503 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Community Hospices of America, 7820 North University, Suite 108, Peoria, IL 61614.