Laura Saunders

Born September 10, 1944 in Pekin to Herbert H. and Lorraine I. (Crooks) Counterman, she married Walter L. “Dewey” Saunders on September 21, 1967 in Pekin. He died March 31, 2009 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Herbert Counterman and Gerald Counterman and one sister, Eva Marie Rollins.

Surviving are one son, Ted Lee Saunders of Manito; one daughter, Della Rae (Craig) McKinney of Pekin; one grandson, Curtis McKinney of Pekin; one great-granddaughter, Nova Lee McKinney of Glasford; one brother, Donald “Tiny” Counterman and three sisters, Mary Hodgson of Pekin, Margie Morris of Peoria and Carol Dwyer of Manito.

She worked at Pekin Community High School District 303 in the cafeteria for 28 years from September of 1989 until May of 2017.

Laura loved to fish and enjoyed working puzzles. She was a kind and sweet lady that was devoted to her family. She also was interested in Native American culture and collected plates and dream catchers.

Her funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 19, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor James C. McClarey will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 10393, Chicago, IL 60610 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

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