Gene L. Ackley

Born January 4, 1938 in Pontiac to John W. and Iva I. (Kafer) Ackley, he married Rita E. Quinn on September 5, 1959 in East Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Debra (Kevin) Fetters of Chillicothe, Tamara (Todd) Johnson of Canton and Kimberly (James) Talley of Walland, Tennessee; one son, Rodney (Shelley) Ackley of Dalton, Georgia; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Jeremy) Gauwitz of Varna, Colt (Katie) Johnson of Mapleton, Laike (Greg) Nelson of Westfield, Indiana, Ashley (Sam) Martin of Lacon, Elizabeth (Sam) Hudson of Rocky Face, Georgia, Nick Ackley of Cohutta, Georgia, MacKenzie (Ryan) Blount of Knoxville, Tennessee and Lindsay Talley of Arden, North Carolina and twelve great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

He served in the United States Navy in the Submarine Service.

Gene worked for Central Illinois Light Company for 33 years, retiring in 1993.

He was a former 17-year member of the Creve Coeur Fire Department. Gene also was a former member of the Creve Coeur Police and Fire Commission, Creve Coeur Zoning Board and the Peoria Base of the United States Submarine Veterans.

He was of the Catholic faith and a former member of Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur.

Gene was always there for his family and had the ability to fix anything. He was an avid woodworker and enjoyed spending time in his shop.

His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2024 at Fon du Lac Cemetery in East Peoria. Father Michael Andrejek will officiate. There will be no public visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur.

Memorial contributions may be made 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