Alice M Morris

PEKIN ~ Alice May Morris, 67, of 319 North Parkway Drive, passed away at 2:10 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Born February 14, 1941 in Warren, Ohio to Robert and Lorine M. (Jackson) Hutchison, she married Sheldon Dale Morris on February 20, 1962 in Peoria. Dale died October 7, 2007 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are one sister, Cindy A. (Jim) Salmon of Davidsonville, Maryland; one brother, Ted (Judy) Hutchison of Warren, Ohio; one son, Robert John (Janet) Morris of Brimfield; one daughter, Tammy L. (Wade) Helm of Pekin; one step-son, Sheldon Dale, Jr. (Anne) Morris of Moline; one step-daughter, Monica K. (Robert) Link of Eureka; ten grandchildren, Sarah A. Morris, Breanna M. Morris, Joshua C. Helm, all of Pekin, Jonathon D. Morris, Robyn J. Morris, both of Brimfield, Scott R. Woods, II of Washington, Michael L. Woods, Nathan W. Greenstreet, Shawn D. Link, all of Eureka and Justin Morris of Moline and four great-grandchildren. Alice was very fond of her beloved cat, Sam. She was proud to have been homecoming queen of her graduating class in 1959 at Howland Corner (Ohio) High School. She also had completed her real estate course at Illinois Central College and attended the Palmer School for Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Alice last worked for several years as a receptionist and Free Amplified Phone representative for Advocates for Access in Peoria Heights. She previously worked many years as a demonstration lady for area grocery stores and at Kmart and Wal-Mart. She was known as "Sonny the Clown," volunteering with her cheerful spirit at hospitals and area functions. She also wrote and played in skits with her sidekick, Jim (Pa) Nievar in churches. She was the sole and founding member of the Sonshine Circle and was known for sending cards and always with a stick of Juicy Fruit gum. She was a faithful and devoted member of First Baptist Church in Pekin and was a longtime choir member at First Assembly of God in Pekin. Her funeral will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at First Baptist Church, 700 South Capitol Street in Pekin. Pastor Brad Martin and Pastor Mark Dexter will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at the church. Private burial will be Wednesday in Combs Cemetery near Kickapoo. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Riverside Community Church for Brazil Missions, 714 Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria, IL 61603.