Loni Jo McElya

Born January 30, 1953 in Pekin to Lavern and Wanda Sue (Flora) McBride, she married Jimmy Lee McElya on July 12, 1991 in Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are one son, Keith (Sabrina) Merritt of South Pekin; one daughter, Laura (Rich) Crump of Toulon; two stepsons, Jeremy (Kim) McElya of Washington and Mike (Caroline) McElya of Murphysboro; eight grandchildren, Colin (Brie) Merritt, Cayden Merritt, Oliver McElya, Evelyn McElya, Avery McElya, Shelby Guede, Tristian Hulsey and Symon Smith; two great-grandchildren, Deacan Merritt and Zeeland Merritt; one brother, William McBride of Pekin and one sister, Shannon (Mike) Klich of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Loni formerly owned and operated Blondie’s in Princeville and Mac’s Southside Tap in Pekin. She also had worked as a dealer at the Par-A-Dice in East Peoria at one time and had been a beautician.

She was a movie buff and lived for her grandchildren.

Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur. Pastor Clifford Elliott will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Oak Grove Evangelical Bible Church Cemetery in East Peoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 424 East 92nd St., New York, NY 10128-6804 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61637.

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