Ronald Carl Selby

Born December 13, 1940 in Pekin he was the fourth of nine children born to Robert and Ilene (Rumler) Selby. He married Phyllis K. Gambrel on August 22, 1958 in Pekin. She died after more than 53 years of marriage on November 4, 2011. He then married Mary Lou (Brown) Davis on February 16, 2013 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He also was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Ronald Allen Selby and Steven Selby; one grandson, Jeremy Selby; three brothers and three sisters.

Surviving are four children, April (Chuck) Benkiel of Streamwood, Phillip Selby of Springfield, Missouri, Kelley (Tim) Gibson of Alexandria, Virginia and Angela (Bradley) Shomper of Sumter, South Carolina; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nancy Patterson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Edith (Stan) Buden of Goofy Ridge and many nieces and nephews.

In his early career, Ronald worked seven years as a laborer for the Peoria Board of Trade and then worked as an Iron Worker as a rod buster in Peoria and then in South Carolina. He was proud to have worked on large building projects including the Peoria Civic Center and many bridge projects. It’s likely you’ve traveled on a bridge that he helped build in either Illinois or South Carolina. He also worked at TCRC Inc. in Morton, during his off time, empowering the disadvantaged to enter the workforce. He found that job most rewarding and took a similar position in South Carolina for a time. He retired as a construction superintendent for Pendley Construction near Goose Creek, where he helped build more than 300 homes.

Ronald had a strong work ethic and loved working with his hands. He had a heart for helping people and was generous to a fault, even in humble times. He enjoyed living in South Carolina with good friends and warm weather.

He was a member of Second Baptist Church in Peoria and was a former member of Goose Creek Baptist Church.

His private graveside service and burial will be held in Carolina Memorial Gardens in North Charleston, South Carolina. Pastor David Coleman will officiate. No visitation is planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, 2905 West Garden, Peoria, IL 61605.

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