George Richard Beres

Born November 25, 1927 in Pekin, he was the only child of Peter George and Goldie Irene (Curry) Beres. He married Barbara Jean Baxter on August 28, 1949 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pekin. She died July 12, 2023 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Linda Ann Black and two stillborn children.

Surviving are one daughter, Donna Jean (Michael) Monn of Pekin; one grandson, Dr. Kristopher (Wendy) Monn; one granddaughter, Andrea Young; four great-grandchildren, Eryn Monn, Sydney Monn, Jack Monn and Layne Young. He also leaves his son-in-law, John H. Black, Jr.; two nephews, Ric Baxter and Rob Baxter and cousins, Demitri Beres and George Beres.

George proudly served in the Illinois National Guard for 4 years.

He graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1945, where he sang with the a capella choir, performed in musicals and was captain of the baseball team his senior year. He then attended the University of Illinois and became a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity. He transferred to Bradley University and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music. He was a charter member of Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity at Bradley and later served on the Bradley Alumni Board.

George started his business career working at the Princess Candy Kitchen in downtown Pekin for his father and uncle at the age of ten. He became an owner of the Packard Dealership in Pekin in 1953. The business was named Beres Motor Company and was located at 211 St. Mary Street in Pekin. George added Studebaker to his dealership in 1954, followed by Mercedes-Benz in 1961 and American Motors in 1963, Peugeot in 1973, Jeep in 1976 and Renault in 1982. In order to accommodate the addition of new models, a new facility was built in 1978 on auto row in Pekin. George was active in the Illinois and Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Associations serving as past president of both organizations and chair of the first auto show held at the Peoria Civic Center in 1982. George sold Beres Motors in 1984 and continued in the car business selling cars for Velde Oldsmobile-Cadillac until he fully retired in 1995.

Active in community organizations, George was a past campaign chairman and board president of the United Way of Pekin. He was a life member and past exalted ruler of Pekin Elks Lodge 1271 and a life member of Empire Lodge 126, Ancient & Free Accepted Masons of Pekin. He also was a member of Mohammed Temple, Shrine and Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria. He was a longtime member of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and served as a past board member and co-chair of the Marigold Golf tournament for over 25 years. He was a member, past president and board member of the Orpheus Club of Peoria and a life member of the Peoria Skeet and Trap Club where he joined the group in 1948 and had served as a board member and trap chairman for over 10 years. He was a founding member of Pekin Civic Chorus in 1953, sang with every performance since its origin and was a longtime treasurer and board member. He was past president and a board member of the Pekin Concert Association too. George was named grand marshal of the Pekin Marigold Festival and received the Al Weaver Integrity Award at the Sunset Hills Best Ball both in 2005. He was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award by PCHS earlier this year. George was the oldest member of Pekin Country Club, was a recipient of the Distinguished Member Award in 2020 and was a past member of their Board of Governors. George served as a member of the Herget Bank Board of Directors for 25 years and retired as Chairman of the Board in 2000, a position he held the last 7 years.

He was a life member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pekin, where he served on the Vestry and sang in the choir since 1940 and was a frequent soloist.

He enjoyed golfing, singing, skeet & trap shooting, fishing and duck hunting.

His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Jonathan Butcher will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Private inurnment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pekin Civic Chorus, 3108 Sheridan Road, Pekin, IL 61554 or United Way of Pekin, 206 N. 4th, Pekin, IL 61554 or Salvation Army, 243 Derby Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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