Garth L Corey Sr.

Born July 5, 1935 in Trivoli to Nelson and Verna (Holt) Corey, he married Ruth Baynard on June 3, 1956 in Creve Coeur.  She died February 10, 1986.  He later married Colleen Kearns on September 10, 1988 in Creve Coeur.

Surviving are his wife; 3 sons, Nicholas (Belinda) Corey of Mendota, John (Sinnell) Corey of East Peoria, and Patrick Corey of Aurora; 1 step-son, Joseph (Juanita) Evans of Delavan; 5 daughters, Deborah (Thomas) Johnson of Troy, Missouri, Kathy (Kenneth) Olson of Peoria, Susann (Hugh) Gill of Creve Coeur, Nancy Bauer and Ruth Ann (Michael) Breza, both of Knoxville, Tennessee; 1 step-daughter, Joan (Stanley) Dooley of Marquette Heights;  32 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by 1 son, Garth, Jr.; 1 step-daughter, Jean Friend; and 2 grandchildren.

Last working as a greeter at the East Peoria Wal-Mart, he had been a self-employed plumber and pipefitter for many years.  Garth was employed by Bendix Corporation working at the USDA Northern Regional Research Center in Peoria from 1987 until retiring in 1997.  He had also worked for Export Packaging in Bartonville.

Garth served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-56.

He was a member of Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur where he had been a member of the Mens Club.

He was also a member of the  American Legion Post 123 in Creve Coeur; the Knights of Columbus in Peoria; the Travelers Protective Association; and the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 63 in Peoria

Garth was an avid New England Patriots and Tom Brady football fan.  He enjoyed woodworking and birdwatching.

His funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur. Rev. Attilio Morelli and Monsignor Charles Beebe will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur chapel, where the Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.  Further visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the mass at the church.  Private burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacre Coeur Catholic Church, 601 Rusche Lane, Creve Coeur, IL  61610 or Illinois Cancer Care, 8940 N. Wood Sage Rd., Peoria, IL  61615