F. Charlene Tyra

Born August 14, 1927 in Tarkio, MO to William A. and Clara J. (Coppenbarger) Brinegar, she married Nugent Tyra, Sr. on December 29, 1949 in Ysleta, TX.  He preceded her in death on July 12, 1989 in Peoria.

Also preceding her in death are her parents and step-father, H. Glenn Wolcott; her step-mother, Mildred Brinegar; one infant son, Tommy Ray, one son, Nugent Tyra, Jr.; one daughter, Brenda Gail Cody; four brothers; one sister and one step-brother.

Surviving are one daughter, Debra (Travis) Diggs of Pottsville, AR; eight grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren.

She had worked for Caterpillar, Inc. in Mapleton as an office secretary, retiring in 1989 after 18 years.

Charlene had been a member of the Arkansas Valley Chapter 606, Order of the Eastern Star; a past member and past Matron of Celestial City Chapter #333, Order of the Easter Star in Pekin; Past Most Excellent Chief of Sunbeam Temple #217, Pythian Sisters in Pekin; a past member of Victoria White Shrine #83 in Pekin; a past member of Sun & Sage Chapter of the National Secretaries Association in El Paso, TX and a past member of the Pekin Hospital Auxiliary.

Charlene was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pekin.  She also was an affiliate member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church of Texarkana, TX.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Pekin.  The Rev. Judy Doyle will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.  Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1315 Court St., Pekin, IL 61554 or to the Nuge Tyra Memorial Golf Outing, C/O Tremont Community Bank, Rt. 9, Tremont, IL 61568.

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