Maria B Wiggins

Born July 17, 1939 in Pekin to Philip Albert and Priscilla Blanche (Hart) Berardi, she married R. Kenneth Wiggins on March 27, 1960 in Pekin. He survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Pamela J. Wiggins of Sterling Heights, MI; one son, Philip R. (Dianna) Wiggins of Pekin; two grandchildren, Matthew T. Wiggins and Emily J. Wiggins; two brothers, David P. (Barbara) Berardi of Pekin and Warren L. Berardi of Marquette Heights and one sister, Phyllis N. (Bill) Rafferty of Peoria.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Maria worked as an order/filler for the former D & W Distributing in Pekin for 22 years. She then worked for nearly eight years for Dicaro Enterprises in North Pekin as a receptionist, last working in 2004. She also was a Newcomer’s Hostess for several years in the late 1960’s in Pekin.

Maria was a devoted member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where she was a longtime kindergarten Sunday school teacher. She also served the church on the Education Committee and as an organizer of the materials for the Sunday school department. She was a member of the United Methodist Women of the church and was a past member of the former Priscilla Circle.

She enjoyed bowling and her pride and joy was a 256 game. She also enjoyed traveling, especially to her husband’s bowling tournaments throughout the country. She enjoyed serving on the PCHS Class of 1957 reunion committee and was a forty year member of her pinochle club. She was a former member of Pekin Women of the Moose Chapter 673.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church Growing God’s Grace Building Fund, 503 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554; Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Alzheimer’s Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.

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