Julia Nettie VanFossen

Born November 9, 1951 in Peoria to Claude E., Sr. and Julia (Buhs) Youngren, she married Phillip VanFossen on October 1, 1998. He died in 2017. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters and three brothers.

Surviving are two daughters, Margaret (Jeff) Jordan of Pekin and Debra (Joseph) Schweickert of Peoria; one son, Lonnie Gibson, Jr of Peoria and one brother, Kenneth (Debra) Mann; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and her special friend of all the family, Renee Moss of Bloomington.

Julia was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Vietnam War.

She had worked at Peoria Plastics for 15-plus years before her retirement.

A very loving, kindhearted & affectionate person. Julia enjoyed painting by numbers, coloring, working crossword puzzles, cooking and reading.

A gathering celebrating Julia’s life will be held at a later date. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637.

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