Junior Graham Landis

Junior was born in Green County, Kentucky on February 3, 1934, to Edgar and Maurine (Judd) Landis. He married Joyce Goodman on November 15, 1952 in Pekin and they were together for fifty years. She preceded him in death on August 12, 2003.

Junior later married Loretta Jean (Combs) and she preceded him in death in 2012.

Junior was also preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Maurine and one daughter, Sandra.

He is survived by his children: Gary (Annette) Landis of Canton and Connie (Brent) Gregory of Tremont, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and siblings Don Landis of Mattoon, Carol Gleason of Pekin, and Brenda Skversky of Phoenix.

Junior and his family moved to Illinois when he was seven years old. He graduated from Pekin Community High School Class of 1952. Junior worked 12 years at Vern’s Superway in Tremont and 26 years at Tremont Lumber Co.

His membership and active participation in Liberty Baptist, Emmanuel Community Church, and Pekin Bible Church spanned many decades. Junior was also a faithful attender of the Locust Grove Bible Club and served as deacon or treasurer of all these institutions. He loved to serve and assist whenever needed. He will be remembered as a generous and caring person who was ready to help anyone in need, and for his laughter and ready smile. Junior loved nature, fishing with family and friends, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes and Crematory Pekin Chapel. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 at the funeral home.

Pastor Chad Nightingale and Junior’s son-in-law Brent Gregory will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions in honor of Junior may be directed to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

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