Mr Roy E. Storey

Peoria: Roy E. Storey ended his life on earth and joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 25, 2012, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. He started his journey in the beautiful foothills of the Himalayas. Born on October 15, 1922, in Assam, India. He married Barbara Seth on August 18, 1953 in Khargpur, India. He is survived by three daughters, Sharon (David) Herron of East Canton Ohio, Sarah (Thomas) Smiles of Peoria and Stephanie (James) Sellers of Ames Iowa; four grandchildren, Jonathan Herron, Andrea Durfee, Owen and Zoe Sellers; three great-grandchildren, Josiah Herron, Cameron and Ian Durfee.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his brothers Kenneth and George.

Roy was the son of an Anglo-Indian mother and British father. At age two he and his older brother Kenneth were sent to live at Dr. Graham's Homes in Kalimpong. He lived a simple life at the orphanage, where he received his first pair of shoes at age 17.

Dad left the Homes in 1939 to start his first job as a movie theater usher in Calcutta. From 1941 to 1945, Dad labored at a tire factory near Calcutta where he lived a meager existence. During this time he suffered from malaria, dysentery, cholera, and whooping cough. Kenneth made arrangements for Dad to return to the Homes, where he recovered. Dad often said, "My brother, Kenneth, saved me. He really cared."

Dad worked next at a sugar-processing mill near New Delhi, and later worked in confectionaries. Dad loved to tell the story of the day the boss caught him eating a bunch of cream - filled cookies. "Storey, how come you're eating all my profits?"

In 1950 Dad met our future mother, Barbara Seth in Calcutta at a Youth for Christ rally and attended the same church, where she accompanied him on piano as he sang. In 1954 the newlyweds traveled by ship to London, England, and welcomed their first child, Sharon.

In 1958 Mom and Dad immigrated to Peoria, Illinois, where their second daughter, Sarah, was born. In 1960 he started a 32-year career at Wahlfeld's Manufacturing Company, where he said he loved making windows and doors. Our parents became proud U.S. citizens in 1964, and had their "surprise" third daughter, Stephanie, in 1971, who kept them young.

After "retiring" at age 69 Dad worked part-time in maintenance at Bergner's in Sheridan Village. Only at age 79, after Mom's death in 2002, did he leave the work force. That same year he began to tutor children in Peoria District 150 grade schools, and continued to share with them his love and life experiences until the time of his passing.

In 2006 Dad received the Studs Terkel Humanities Award from the Illinois Humanities Council and in 2008, President George W. Bush honored our father with the President's Volunteer Service Award, both in recognition of his work with hundreds of children.

Dad was the most positive person we have ever known. He brought endless joy and laughter to his family, who dearly loved and respected him. Dad made friends wherever he went, from Northwoods Mall to St. Sharbel's Village where he lived. He loved to sing in his robust tenor voice, from country-western tunes to hymns of praise at Grace Presbyterian Church.

Visitation will be Friday, January 27, 4-7 p.m., at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, at the same location. Pastor Doug Lightly will officiate.

Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery..

Memorials may be made to Youth for Christ, Peoria Rescue Mission, or South Side Mission.

Please visit Roy’s life story at www.Davison-Fulton.com.