John V Allcock

Born July 26, 1927 in Bandana, Kentucky to John Marshall and Stella May Bellew Allcock, he married Ila Sue Fitzgerald on October 28, 1946 in Paducah, Kentucky. He later married Ruth Cash Smith on June 17, 1983 in Pekin.

Surviving are his wife; 5 sons, S. Lee Allcock, Donald (Susan) Allcock, and Kenneth Allcock, all of Pekin, Earl (Cecile) Allcock of Bellows Falls, Vermont, and John Fitzgerald of Chatam, New York; 2 daughters, Katheryn (Thomas) Cross of Tremont and Susan Lewis of Pekin; 4 step-daughters, Judy Cornelison of East Peoria, Hazel (Ernie) Garrard of Salina, Oklahoma, Wilma Cash of Spavinah, Oklahoma, and Loretta (Ronald) Johnston of Peoria; 1 step-son, Wayne Cash of Bartonville; 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren, including Amy Cash whom he helped raise; and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by 1 son, James V. Allcock; 1 brother; and 1 sister.

Allcock served in the the U.S. Army from 1944 until retiring as a Master Sergeant E-7 in 1966. He served in the European theatre during World War II, fighting in the "Battle of the Bulge". He also participated in the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. During the Korean War he was captured by North Korean troops and subsequently escaped.

After retiring from the army, he had worked as a registered barber and later, on the maintenance crew at the Illinois National Guard 182nd Air Lift Wing at Peoria airport for 10 years.

He was a life member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3883 in Bartonville and American Legion Post #1232 in Pekin; a member and past "Chef De Gare" of 40 et 8 Voiture #1170 Tazewell County; a member of Pekin Moose Lodge #916, Eagles Aerie #1869 in Pekin, AMVETS post #235 in Pekin, and the 17th Infantry Regiment.

He also served as a Peoria County Election judge for 3 years.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2005at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Chaplin William Pulliam will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2005at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Ridge Cemetery in rural Mapleton, where military rites will be accorded by the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.