Nancee Church Vespa

Nancee was known for her kindness, compassion, thoughtfulness, and her deep love for her family.

Nancee was born April 3, 1940, in Peoria to Harold E. and Helen (Roark) Church, who loved her dearly and both preceded her in death. She married Nicholas E. Vespa, Jr. on December 27, 1969.

Nancee is survived by her husband Nick of 56 years, two children: Jennifer (Jeff) Ryckaert Of Barrington, Illinois; Nicholas (Renee) Vespa of Germantown Hills, Illinois. Also surviving is one brother, Stephen (Kathy) Church of Peoria Heights, Illinois, four grandchildren: Nicholas Vespa, Andrew Vespa, Benjamin Vespa, and Clarissa Ryckaert. One sister Patricia (Ralph) Johansen of Fishers, Indiana who preceded her in death.

Nancee attended Knox College In Galesburg, Illinois earning her B.A. degree in Education. Nancee was a teacher for 10 years, teaching in both Wheeling Illinois and Pekin Illinois.

She worked for the past 50 years at her family’s business, Kelly Seed & Hardware Co. where she was a co-owner. Nancee lived and breathed Kelly Seed. She loved going to work and helping customers with their lawn and garden questions. But, most of all, she loved interacting with customers, many of which became very good friends. To Nancee, this was not just work, it was her social life. She kept up with friends and found out about their families. She showed great compassion and lived by the Golden Rule- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Nancee’s life lesson to her family was always- Be Kind!

Nancee was a member of the Peoria Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Pimiteoui Chapter, Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society of Mayflower Descendants, United States Daughters of the War of 1812, the Peoria Historical Society, and the Peoria Garden Club.

Nancee was a member of the Peoria Heights Congregational Church for over 50 years.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate doctors, nurses, and staff at OSF Saint Francis Hospital.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2025 at

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home at 2408 W. Willow Knolls Dr. in Peoria.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 6, 2025 at 10 a.m. also at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home.

A private family burial will be in La Fayette Cemetery just outside La Fayette, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois or Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.