Alvin A Niesman

PEKIN ~ Alvin A. Niesman, 94, of 1004 Monroe Street, died at 11 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2009 at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton. He was there receiving therapy for a broken hip after falling at the Dragon Dome in Pekin on March 11, 2009.

Born September 7, 1914 in Montgomery County, Illinois to Joseph and Anna (Dahler) Niesman, he married Lela J. Grubb on November 8, 1943 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on July 2, 2004. He also was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one infant brother.

Surviving are his daughters, Judy L. (Dave) Marke and Janet K. (Louie) Vachon, both of Washington; three granddaughters, Wendy (Robert) Schade of Houston, Texas, Angie (Russ) Wilson of St. Peters, Missouri, and Amy Vachon of Washington; four great-grandchildren, Courtney and Caitlyn Schade, and Ben and Allison Wilson; one sister, Dorothy (Vernon) Michel; and several nieces and nephews.

He was raised on a farm in Nokomis, Illinois. He moved to Morton at 21 and worked at Caterpillar and Bliss Custom Farming in Tremont. He joined Pekin Insurance on November 12, 1962 and retired as Maintenance Supervisor in March 1984.

He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, received a purple heart and spent 4 months in a hospital in Germany before returning home.

He was a life member of the William Schaefer American Legion Post #44 in Pekin. He also was a member of the Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1232 in Pekin and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 1 in Peoria.

After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, working in the yard and around the house. He made many things for family and friends.

Alvin was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ for more than 60 years, where he was also a member of the Widowers Group.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2009at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin. Rev. Dwight E. Borden will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ, 101 N. 8th St. Pekin, IL 61554.