Claude G "Tiger" Fitzgerald

PEKIN ~ Claude G. “Tiger” Fitzgerald, 79 of Pekin, formerly of London Mills, passed away at 4:36 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2015 at Morton Terrace Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Morton.

Born April 15, 1936 in Cape Girardeau, MO to Oliver and Mabel (Lee) Fitzgerald, he married Ima Mae DeLay on June 23, 1956 in Pekin. She died on April 28, 1974 in Canton. He then married Clara Cochran on May 10, 1985 in Pekin. She died on July 28, 2009 in Pekin. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and two great-grandchildren, Allison and Savanah.

Surviving are one son, Davy (Vickey) Fitzgerald of Pekin; four daughters, Veronica (Michael) Abbott of Scottsburg, IN, Betty Jayne Foster, Robin Fitzgerald, both of Pekin and Rachel (Greg) Leeper of Peoria; 15 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and one sister, Pauline (Charles) Benton of Pekin.

He had worked for Keystone Steel and Wire Company in Peoria for 22 years, retiring in 1978.

Tiger had been a proud lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. He was artistically inclined and loved music and playing the banjo and his guitar.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. There will be no services. Private burial of ashes will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Special Olympics of Illinois at 605 E. Willow Street, Normal, IL 61761.

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