Earl D Dudley

Born December 24, 1926 in Bartonville to Earl and Eliza (Betts) Dudley, he married Donna J. Henrichs on November 30, 1962 in Pekin. She died January 10, 1987 in Peoria. He then married Toyoko Miki Tonooka on March 5, 1988 in Pekin. She died December 12, 1990 in Peoria. He also was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Lucille Dudley; two stepsons, Thomas H. Lawson and Michael D. Lawson; one grandson, David S. Wight and one brother.

Surviving are three daughters, Sheila R. (Tom Hughes) Harkey of Davenport, Iowa, Christy L. Siebdrath of Pekin and Rosiland Ka Dudley of Lancaster, California; one grandson; five step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Oda V. (Barb) Dudley of Pekin and John C. Dudley of Minnesota and one sister, Carolyn Martin of Pekin.

He was a World War II Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater aboard a mine sweeper.

Earl was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses North Congregation in Pekin.

Earl retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in 1987. He formerly worked for Ralston Purina and as an Ironworker.

He was a people person. He loved flowers, liked to fish and worked hard. He enjoyed his training and time as a private pilot. He will be remembered as a jovial and generous person who enjoyed being a witness of Jehovah.

His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2009at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Elder Addison Abernathy will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral. Burial of cremains will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin at a later date.