Fondus Eugene Chism

Born May 4, 1928 in Barren City, Kentucky to Glee and Roxie (Bundy) Chism, he married Nina Hill. She died March 22, 1980. He later married Marjerie Ellington on February 23, 2000. She died on April 17, 2007. He also was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lyman Miller.

Surviving are one sister, Donna Sarff of Manito; nieces and nephews, RaeLynn (Dan) McCormick of Foley, Alabama, Dan (Jeanne) Sarff of Manito, David (Cindy) Sarff of Manito, Darren Miller, Eric (Gina) Miller, both of Pekin, Gregory Miller, of Casper, Wyoming, Cynthia (Jeff) Hornecker of Pekin and Christina (Robert) Figueroa of Waukesha, Wisconsin and many great nieces and nephews. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Susan Miller of Pekin.

A United States Navy World War II veteran, he served on the USS Segirndo and USS Sperry.

He worked at Standard Brands in Pekin for 24 ½ years until 1972. He then worked for CILCO until retiring.

Fondus played in pool leagues his entire life and was a 1948 state champion. He also liked the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and longtime member of the Pekin Eagles Aerie 1869, Pekin Moose Family Center and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Bartonville. In addition to making custom jewelry, Fondus raised and sold tropical fish and flowers as a hobby.

He had attended the Southern Baptist Church in Paragould, Ark.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made 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