Gary Coon, Sr.

PEKIN ~ Gary Coon, Sr. 82, of Pekin, passed away at 9:30 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2012 at his home.

Born December 21, 1929 in Pekin to Cecil and Bertha (Cox) Coon, he married Mary Kay Schaefer on November 27, 1957 in Pekin.

Surviving are his wife; 1 son Gary (Robin) Coon, Jr., of Mackinaw; 1 daughter, Bobbi Butler of Mesquite, Texas; 4 grandchildren, Sarah (Morgan Radford) Butler of Mesquite, Kayla Zimmerman and Matt Coon, both of Chicago, and Tyler Zimmerman of Mackinaw; 1 great-granddaughter, Clementine Radford, who will be born on her great-grandparents 55th anniversary, November 27, 2012; 2 step-brothers, Darrell and Roger Lacock and 1 half brother, Stanley Coon.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; and infant sister; and his step-mother, Eunice Lacock Coon.

He served in the U.S. Army in Japan from 1947-49.

Gary last worked for R.A. Cullinan Construction Company in Tremont as a truck driver from 1978-97. Previously he had worked for Standard Brands in Pekin for 12 years.

He was a member of the Teamsters and Chauffeurs Union Local 627 in Peoria, Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1232 and Eagles Aerie 1869 (he was a 46-year “Golden Eagle”), both in Pekin.

He enjoyed raising both aquarium and pond fish.

Gary was also of a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls.

A private graveside service will at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. The Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will provide military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

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