Gary D Simpson

Born May 8, 1961 in Pekin to Loyd T. and Viva (Harper) Simpson, he married Anna M. “Missy” Pearce on October 11, 2006 in Monticello, Kentucky. She survives.

Also surviving are his son, Derek (Libby) Simpson of Tampa, Florida; his bonus children, Kiersten Barron of Des Moines, Iowa and Trent (Leigh Tucker) Barron of Pekin; two grandsons, Xavier Simpson and Laken Blazer; seven sisters, Nancy Russell of Texas, LaDonna (R.J.) Jamieson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chris (Mike) Trone of Springfield, Angie (Paul) Monrad of Peoria, Lee Easton of Peoria, Tina Schultz of Texas and Tonya (Ryan) Lodge of Pekin and two brothers, Greg (Patti) Kaeb of Tremont and Kevin (Brenda) Kaeb of Green Valley. He also leaves his mother, Viva Harper.

He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Margaret Simpson.

Gary proudly served in the United States Army for 15 years from 1980 to 1995 and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. He first served as a Calvary scout and at last was a career counselor in recruiting and retention. From Kentucky, Colorado and Germany as a scout to Georgia and the NATO Military headquarters in Belgium as a counselor - Gary loved to travel. He also loved to travel with Missy, the “greatest wife in the world for me”, enjoying Jamaican breezes to Frankenmuth freezes.

Gary also worked for Illinois Corn Processing for 20 years, last working as a distillery tech on October 23, 2017. He previously had worked for ADM for several years. He has owned and operated Acorn Properties for 20 years and Little Grocery in East Peoria for 5 years with his wife, Missy. They loved antiquing together and nice long rides on the old Harley. Gary even got Missy to become a Denver Broncos fan…Go Denver!

He was a member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin. He also was a member of Empire Lodge 126, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in Pekin and was a former member and past master of Victor Lodge 99 in Victor, Colorado.

His memorial visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where Masonic rites and Military funeral honors will be held at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

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