John E Monge

PEKIN ~ John Edward Monge, 94, of 1540 El Camino Drive, Apartment 101, passed away at 2:28 a.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at ManorCare Health Services in Peoria. He was formerly of 22 Cypress Point in Pekin.

Born March 5, 1913 in Panama, Illinois to James and Anna (Bussone) Monge, he married Virginia A. Frasco on October 7, 1939 in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Richard J. "Dick" (Mary Ann) Monge of Dunlap and Ronald J. "Ron" (Cindy) Monge of Pekin; two daughters, Karen A. (Dr. Ronald) Cornu of Pahrump, Nevada and Kay L. Apa of Pekin; eight grandchildren, Scott G. (Karen) Monge of Atlanta, Georgia, Mark R. (Jennifer) Monge and Brian J. Monge, both of Peoria, Molly A. Monge of Chicago, Michelle L. (Jason) Kreiling and Amy N. Apa, both of Pekin, Jason E. Monge of Portland, Oregon, and Lyn M. Apa of San Antonio, Texas; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four half-brothers, Pete Viviano, Charles Viviano, Angelo Viviano, and James Viviano, and one half-sister, Anna Micheletti.

John owned and operated Central Distributing Company in Pekin from 1940 to 1970. He also was involved in several Pekin downtown businesses.

He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #916, both in Pekin. He was a charter member of Archbishop Schlarman Council No. 3507 of the Knights of Columbus in Pekin and was instrumental in starting its Squire's club. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus Assembly No. 210 in Pekin, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge # 1271 in Pekin, and the Pekin Lions Club, where he was a past president.

He served as president of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce from 1963 to 1966 and was the financial secretary of the Pekin Fireworks for 25 years. He was a former member of the Pekin Country Club and had served as the president for 3 years. He was past president of the Illinois Beverage Dealers Association and had been active in the Pekin Downtown Business Association. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the Pekin Jaycees.

An avid golfer and hunter, John also enjoyed fishing. He was a loving family man and was never too busy for them.

His funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, August 31, 2007at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Timothy Nolan will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Pekin Knights of Columbus, 715 North 11th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, or the Alzheimer's Association Central Illinois Chapter, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.