John H. Roberts

John H. Roberts, formerly of Pekin, passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. For the past 10 years, John lived in Springfield, Missouri. He spent most of his adult life in Dallas, Texas.

John was born in Peoria on February 24,1943 to parents Helen R. Roberts and John G. Roberts. He is survived by a sister, Joan (Steve) Wilhelm of Pekin and a step-brother, Greg (Jinny) Gauger of Kimberling City, Missouri. He also leaves a niece, Shelly (Gauger) Ready and a nephew, Jeff Gauger, both of Maple Grove, Minnesota.

John grew up in Pekin on the family farm east of town. He attended Pekin Community High School graduating in 1960. From there, John moved on to the University of Illinois where he pursued and was awarded his Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering in February of 1965. He was a loyal Illini football & basketball fan and later created a scholarship program for Pekin students attending the college.

On graduation he was employed by Sundstrand Corp in Rockford. He eventually relocated to Dallas to work at Texas Instruments, then subsequently worked at several casting companies in the Dallas area. Along the way he achieved his Texas professional engineering certification in 1974 and Master of Science in Management from the University of Texas in 1982. Eventually, John formed his own company, the John Roberts Agency, representing metal foundries in Texas. He was adept at helping these companies with part designs, metal compositions and casting processes.

The business was successful and afforded John the ability to fund his passion for flying. As a pilot, John owned his own plane and loved to fly back to Pekin for visits. He also donated his time co-piloting Angel Flights and as a ground-Angel helping others. John had many hobbies over his lifetime including travel, racing sports cars, water skiing, snow skiing, trap shooting, pursuing genealogy, and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys… to name a few. He was an avid reader, a brilliant mind and expert at trivia games.

He will be remembered as a wonderful brother and loving uncle.

A private funeral service is planned with interment in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com