

Monique M. "Mony" Verbeke went to join in heaven her dear husband, Charlie, Thursday January 30th. She was born premature in Brussels, Belgium on June 10, 1932, and spent the first 7 years there with her uncle and aunt, before joining her parents, Willy and Marcelle Arlet-Pirson, her sister and brother in the Belgium Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo), where on May 16, 1959 she married Charles A. Verbeke, who worked at the Caterpillar dealership in Leopoldville (Kinshasa).
In 1960, due to the independence of that country, renamed Zaïre, they had to flee the country and were brought to Peoria by Caterpillar. The company sent them on foreign assignments to Geneva, Switzerland, Sao Paolo, Brazil and a short one in Tokyo, Japan. But Monique's love for Peoria never wavered, she joined the Peoria Country Club, played golf, bridge and was president of the Women’s Club; was very involved in her neighborhood, Edgewild, where she was president of their association.
Monique biggest regret was not having been able to have children, her goddaughter, Natacha and niece, Nanou were loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Jacqueline; brother, Jean-Pierre Arlet.
Monique leaves to mourn her, her sister, Ghislaine (Jo) Mertens; sister-in-law, Jeanine Parvais-Arlet; nièces and nephews.
She was a member of St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Peoria.
As her health declined she was assisted by two wonderful friends, Helen and Pam, who took very good care of her and by OSF Hospice.
Monique's visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. Her funeral service will take place at 11:30 am also on Thursday at Resurrection Mausoleum Chapel in Peoria. Fr. Stephen Willard will officiate. Her entombment will take place in Resurrection Mausoleum following her service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Children's Home Association of Illinois at https://chail.org/ or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be shared with Monique's family at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com
DONACIONES
Children's Home Association of Illinois at https://chail.org/ or a charity of the donor's choice
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