Cornelius "Keek" E. Wagner

Born July 9, 1937 in San Jose to George and Myrtle (Halsey) Wagner, he married Janice K. Lindsey. They later divorced.

Surviving are two sons, Kevin (Penny) Wagner and Kent Wagner, both of Pekin; one daughter, Taunya (TJ Estes) Drowns of Pekin; seven grandchildren, Chris Wagner and Kala Wagner, both of Pekin, Joshua (Hanna) Wagner of Wisconsin, Mallory Wagner, Chase Wagner, Connor Drowns and Austin Calloway, all of Pekin and Austin eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Fred, Donald, Vernon “Bob”, George “Jr.” and Bruce Wagner; two infant sisters, Eileen and Susan and two sisters, Bethel Schmidgall and Darlene Meskimen.

Keek had worked at Keystone Wire & Steel Co. in Bartonville for 31 years before retiring in 1990.

An avid New York Yankees and Illini fan, Keek was a sports fanatic and a wealth of knowledge in sports trivia. He also thoroughly enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events.

His private graveside service will be at Green Valley Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to Boys & Girls Club of Pekin, 1101 Veerman Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

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