John H Gay, Jr.

Born April 26, 1930 in East Peoria to John H. and Evelyn (Shea) Gay, Sr., he married Judith Combs on June 26, 1953 in Peoria.  She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Lynn Gay of Pekin; three sons, John E. Gay, Darren (Mary) Gay, and Robert Gay, all of Pekin; six grandchildren, Jessica Gay, Rachel (Tom) Ghelardini, Tera Gay, Allen (Ashley) Hawkins, Jonathon Gay, and Austin Gay; four great-grandsons; and one brother, Jack (Marilyn) Gay of East Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

John served in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Korean War.

A carpenter by trade, he worked out of Carpenters Union Local 644 in Pekin for 55 years and was a former president of the union.

John was a member of Pekin Eagles Aerie #1869, George Maple Memorial AMVETS Post #235 in Pekin and a former of member the Pekin Moose Family Center #916.

He was a Chicago Cubs and Bears fan and enjoyed fishing and duck hunting.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where visitation will be one hour before the funeral.  The Rev. Richard Brienen will officiate.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL  61554.

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