Geneva "Neva" Townsend

She was born September 12, 1937 in Eldorado, IL to Lloyd and Jamia (Byrd) Billman. She married Alan Mears in 1953. After that marriage ended she married James Townsend March 12, 1987 and he passed away October 20, 2008. She was preceded in death by her sons Bruce and Brad Mears; siblings Hazel Gass, Jim and Ralph Billman; and son-in-law Mark Jones. Neva later married Jerome Peschke on August 2, 2016 in Key West, FL. He survives along with their children Julie Mears, Janet (Mark) Jones, Laura (Kevin) Landmann, Mark (Anna) Townsend, Gwendolyn Peschke (Mark Smith), Kimberly (Randy) Peschke-Pierce; eleven grandchildren Ryan, Brittney, Kelsey, Caitlin, Alana, Tesa, Andrea, Alex, Izabella, Lukas, and Evan. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren; her sisters Mary Lou Hancock, Bonnie (Jack) Irwin; and brothers John Billman and Donnie (Marsha) Billman.

Neva was an accomplished artist. She started her painting journey in the 1960’s, her achievements include: 1994 Pillars Society Award; 1994 Rennick Jurors Award; 1994 One Person Show at Caterpillar Inc., World Headquarters Peoria; 1996 One Person Show at Caterpillar Inc.: 1997 Rennic Award, Peoria Historical Society; and One Person Show at Methodist Medical Center, Peoria, IL. She loved working with watercolors, pastels, and oils. Her paintings are still featured in the Stone Soup Gallery of Key West and the Key West Art Center. Neva was an active member of the Key West United Methodist Church.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of Geneva’s life will be Wednesday, September 18, at 11am at the University United Methodist Church in Peoria. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Key West Art Center, www.keywestartcenter.com or Key West United Methodist Church or the University United Methodist Church in Peoria.

You may view Geneva’s obituary online at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com