Russell B Bailey

PEKIN ~ Russell B. "Russ" Bailey, 90, of Pekin, passed away at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at Hallmark House Nursing Center in Pekin. He was formerly of Mapleton.Born November 8, 1920 in Sand Prairie Township, Tazewell County, he was the son of Loma Elva Watson. He married Dorothy Arlene Harper on October 22, 1941 in Peoria. She died April 6, 2006 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters.Surviving are two sons, Allen R. (Linda) Bailey of Creve Coeur and Arlen E. (Kim) Bailey of Germantown Hills; four grandsons, Scott A. (Kim) Bailey, Matthew A. Bailey, both of Creve Coeur, Christopher R. Bailey of North Pekin and Cory M. (Michelle) Bailey of Mackinaw; two step-granddaughters, Jamie Morgan and Ashley Morgan, both of Germantown Hills;one great-granddaughter, Alyson R. Bailey and one brother, Glen Bernath of Groveland.Russ was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran serving in the European theater. He attained the rank of technical sergeant and served as a mechanic in the glider corps.Russ worked for American Distilling Company in Pekin for 39 years, where he was a stationary fireman firing boilers. He retired in 1981. He then worked for Pabst for 6 years. Russ also farmed all of his life mostly in Hollis Township in Peoria County.Russ had a love for his dogs.His graveside funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, November 29, 2010 at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com