Wesley Gene Foster

Born October 15, 1931 in Trenton, MO to Leonard and Gladys (Leisure) Foster, he married Roberta (Gray) Foster on May 2, 1954 in Kewanee, IL. They were blessed with 66 loving years together before she preceded him in death on February 9, 2021.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Byron (Sally) Foster of Peoria, IL; and one nephew, Ivan Foster of Peoria, IL.

Wes is survived by two daughters, Dianne (David) Klumpe of Six Mile, SC and Karen (Tom) Fenelon of Chillicothe, IL; and four grandchildren, Megan Klumpe of Chicago, IL, Mark Klumpe of Six Mile, SC, Lt. Elizabeth (Lt. Brian) Greggs of Norfolk, VA, and Michael Fenelon of Chicago, IL. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, Joyce Gray of McCall, ID, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was raised in Kewanee, IL and graduated from Kewanee High School in 1949. Wes entered the Caterpillar Apprentice Training program in Peoria immediately after graduation. His machinist training was interrupted when he served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. Upon his discharge and return to Peoria, Wes worked for Caterpillar in various roles, and after 38 years he retired as a Planning Superintendent in 1987.

Early in his career, Wes was very active with the Peoria Junior Chamber of Commerce and served as the president of the Peoria Jaycees in the early 1960’s. He received the Key Award as outstanding Jaycee “Man of the Year” for 1960-1961. Wes also was a longtime member of University United Methodist Church and served in numerous capacities there over the years.

Wes loved sports, and one of his favorite pastimes was volunteering with the Bradley University Athletic Department’s Statistics and Game Management crews. For well over 25 years, he assisted with home games for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball teams. The Bradley crews for men’s basketball were recognized by the Missouri Valley Conference, and they were often invited to work MVC Conference tournaments as well as NCAA Regional tournaments. One of many highlights for Wes was working the NCAA Final Four tournament for men’s basketball in St. Louis, MO in 2005 on behalf of Bradley and the MVC.

Wes treasured spending time with family. He patiently attended countless dance recitals, volleyball matches, and track meets in support of his daughters. Following their activities and subsequently those of his grandchildren brought him much enjoyment. He rarely missed a single grandchild’s academic event, athletic competition, or band concert.

He will be remembered for his deep devotion to family, abiding faith, sense of humor, perseverance, and capability. He had a quiet strength about him and an unassuming inner confidence and grace that resulted in a remarkable ability to always keep things on an even keel.

The family would like to recognize and thank the dedicated staff at Lutheran Hillside Village for their kind and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wes’s name may be made to his church or Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation.

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at University United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Mt. Hawley Cemetery. The service will be live streamed at rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send condolences by logging on to www.woolsey-wilton.com