John L. Unes

He was born on April 21, 1928, in Peoria to Michael J. and Catherine (LaHood) Unes. He married Pauline S. Shadid on August 20, 1949, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Peoria. She survives. He and Pauline just celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary.

Surviving are six children, Susan A. (Robert) Roling, Karen L. (Roger) Waldo, Michael P. (Ann) Unes of Peoria, Robert J. (Helen) Unes of Brimfield, Mary B. Unes of Tempe, AZ, Dr. Michele A. (Timothy) Couri of Peoria, 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Evelyn Unes Hansen of St. Paul, MN and brother Richard M. (Marty) Unes of Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Rita Unes Meyers of St. Paul, MN.

John graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic grade school in 1942 and Manual High School in 1946 and started as an apprentice cabinet maker at Velde Cabinet in Pekin. He worked for many years in the Peoria area as a master carpenter before starting his own construction business in 1974. John’s building legacy includes the construction of several homes, including his own that he started at the age of 26, numerous schools, St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin and its towering steeple, several Catholic Church renovations in the Central Illinois area along with the Junction City buildings, boardwalk and its iconic wooden water tower.

John loved spending countless hours in the woodshop in his garage, always enjoying working on a project for someone. He had an uncanny ability to create masterpieces out of discarded/repurposed lumber, building beautiful projects out of “reclaimed” materials before this trend became popular. John also found solace in his beautiful four-acre yard, spending many hours throughout the years mowing on his antique International Harvester tractor. The project that he was most proud of was his family -- John was a pillar of strength for them, always lending an ear to listen whenever the need arose.

After retiring in 1992, he continued to use his abundant skills to help family and friends with countless projects and gave generously of his time volunteering at the Itoo Club of Peoria to honor his Lebanese ancestors and preserve his heritage, just like his parents did before him. John was instrumental in starting up the Ballroom Dancing at the Itoo hall that so many dancers enjoyed for so many years.

John was a charter member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Peoria, a life member of Carpenter’s Union 183, and the Itoo Society of Peoria.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, September 18 at St. Vincent de Paul with a rosary service at 3:45 PM. His funeral Mass will be held on September 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Peoria with Father Dustin Schultz officiating. There will be an additional visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria is in charge of arrangements.

Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a heart-felt thank-you to his doctors, especially Dr. Larry Lindahl, Dr. Shawn Piers, and Dr. Phillip Olsson, his nurses, and the entire staff at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Their compassion and dedication to healing the human spirit is evident in all they do.

Memorial contributions may be made to the MPN Research Foundation at mpnresearchfoundation.org or the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.

Please view John’s obituary online at www.Woosley-WiltonFuneralHome.com