Peoria Oldtimers Racing Club

Scott Shults - Owner nouncr@comcast.net
Founded on March 21 - 1981

Friends of the Peoria Oldtimers Racing Club that have Passed

Type Your Information to Me in the Comments Section on

the Shout Box Above,  Then Click on to the Send Buttom

in the Lower Right Corner to Forward the Info.

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Stock Car Drivers from the Past at the Peoria Speedway,

That are no longer with Us : Rest in Peace  !!!

Thanks for all the Thrills, Excitement & Memories

     That You All Provided & Left for Us,

    Over the Years at the Peoria Speedway.

D-Driver / C O-Car Owner / M-Mechanic / P-Promoter

ST-Scorer Timer / PS- Pit Steward / F-Flagman /

A-Announcer / PPD-Powder Puff Driver / PC- Pit Crew 

Remembering the Great Stock Car Drivers From the Past at Peoria Speedway

 

~~~  In Memory of  ~~~

Names are Listed Alphabetically - By First Name 

Adolph Antonini - Pekin, Ill. -D- Drove for Tony Turk of Turk Alignment of Pekin # 457

 Al Dew - Peoria, Ill. -D- Drove # 222 Coupe - # 82 Late Model

Al Hines - Peoria, Ill. - Al's Towing & Wrecker Service

Al Terrell - Peoria, Ill. -D- ( 01/17/1930 - 01/07/2006 )

Drove for Numerous Owners including Everett Chasteen, Art Brooks & Dick Coons

 

Albert 'Shorty' Burdette - Hanna City, Ill. -D- Passed 2005

Art Brady - Peoria, Illinois -D- Drove for Wildcat Williams in the Daytona '500'  

Art Sebens - PS

PEORIA -- Arthur Sebens, 71, of 420 E. Virginia died at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, 1994, at his residence. Born Nov. 25, 1922,  in Bement to Peter and Mabel Bales Sebens, he married Jean Miller on Jan. 10, 1948, in Peoria. She survives. Also surviving are his mother of Monticello; one son, Steven Arthur of Peoria; four grandchildren; and one brother, James of Monticello. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Peggy Gunter; three brothers; and one sister. Art was a former Peoria Speedway Pit Steward.

Ben Hofer - Rock Island, Ill. -D-

3 Time Illinois State Champion at Peoria Speedway - Ben Hofer with Six Foot  Illinois State Champ Trophy Sept. 22, 1962

  Berley Dodson - D - 1956 Illinois State Champion
 PONTIAC - Berley E. Dodson, 80, of Pontiac, died 6:55 p.m. Thursday (March 20, 2008) at OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Martin-Burke Funeral Home with the Rev. Gretchen Stinebaugh officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the funeral home. Full military rites will be accorded after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts may be made to the Franciscan Hospice of Central Illinois. This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.martin-burkefuneralhome.com.

Berley was born May 11, 1927, in Pontiac, a son of Berley C. and Eva (Runyon) Dodson.  He married Mary Elizabeth Chapman on Dec. 16, 1950, in Pontiac. He is survived by his wife, Mary Dodson, Pontiac; two sons, Berley ``Buddy'' (Patty) Dodson and Doug (Betty) Dodson, both of Pontiac; one daughter, Cheryl (Roger) Weber, Pontiac; 10 grandchildren, Melissa, Megan, Matt, Jeremy, Joel (Becky), Berley Heath, Lindsay (Brian), Robin (Jamie), Jeff and Jason; seven great-grandchildren, Addison, Bailey, Cayden, Keegan, Haley, Alyssa and Willow; two brothers, Rondell Dodson and DeWayne Dodson, both of Pontiac; and one sister, Mary Louise Meismer, Metamora. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. Berley was a plumber, working mostly in the Pontiac area, and had been the city plumbing inspector. He served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was of the Methodist faith.
He was a member of the VFW, the Moose Lodge, the American Legion, and Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 99 in Bloomington.

In 1956, he was the Illinois State Champion at Peoria Speedway and he raced until 1965. He was a stock car racer in the Fairbury races.
He enjoyed racing, boating and fishing, playing pool and being with his friends at the VFW.

Betty Hogge - Peoria, Ill. -PPD- Wife of Bill Hogge & Mother of Dana & Terri

Bill Hemp - Peoria, Ill. -D- #22 - Bob Hemps Brother

Bill Hogge - Peoria, Ill. -D- #11 - Dana Hogge's Dad

 Bill McMahill - D - Bartonville - 9/23/45 to 8/22/07

 BARTONVILLE - William "Bill" S. McMahill, 61, of Bartonville passed away at 10:52 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Born on Sept. 23, 1945, in Peoria to Clair and Betty Angel McMahill, he married Linda K. Rhoads on Oct. 17, 1970, in Bartonville.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Sandra Csesnegi.He is survived by his wife, Linda of Bartonville; and one son, Robbie (Patricia) McMahill of Bartonville. Also surviving are one granddaughter, Samantha McMahill of Bartonville; three sisters, Shirley (Robert) Miller, Connie Schrock of Chillicothe and Marcia McMahill of Bartonville; and one brother, Steven McMahill.  Bill served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.  He worked as a truck driver for several area businesses, working last for R.A. Cullinan.  He was a member of the Teamsters Local 627, the VFW 3883 and the American Legion Post 979, both in Bartonville. He was a lifelong Cardinals fan and raced stock cars at Peoria Speedway. He enjoyed fishing and loved spending time with his granddaughter. Services will held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel, with visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, at the funeral home. The Rev. Kenneth Klein will officiate. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery Chapel of Peace Mausoleum.

 Bill Smith - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 32 - John Smith's Brother

 Bill Van Allen - Chicago, Ill. -D-

 Billy Barnewolt - Peoria, Ill. -D- (1943 - 2004) # 74

William Barnewolt

PEORIA - William H. "Bill" Barnewolt, 61, of Peoria died at 10:25 a.m. Tuesday,

Feb. 10, 2004, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

Born Jan. 11, 1943, in Peoria to George Harris and Gloria E. Gray Barnewolt,

he married Bonnie C. Roth on May 9, 1962, in LaSalle. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother of Peoria; one daughter, Donella (and Jeff)

Groseclose of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two granddaughters; and one brother, Robert of Brimfield.

Bob Bennett - Norwood, Ill. -D-

Bob Graham # 26 - Farmington, Ill. - D -

Robert Graham

Farmington - Robert W. "Bagpipes" Graham, 69, of Farmington passed away at 6:36 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2009,

at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born Feb. 7, 1940, in Peoria to Gavin and May (Crandell) Graham, he married Colleen Susie Thurman in Lewistown

on April 7, 1967.

She survives, along with two sons, Keith (Tera) Graham of Cuba and Gavin (Elizabeth) Graham of Mapleton;

and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kourtney and Kristen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Thomas Gavin Graham.

Robert was a superintendent for P.J. Hoerr in Peoria for 23 years, retiring in 1991. He was a 46-year member

of the Farmington Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1571, the Alta Masonic Lodge and Labors Local 165 for 45 years.

He also was a U.S. Navy veteran

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 31, 2009, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home, Farmington,

with Moose services at 7:45 p.m. and memorial services following. Pastor John Schurter will officiate. Cremation rites

have been accorded. Burial of the ashes will be at a later date in Yates City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Farmington Rescue Squad

Bob Hemp - Peoria, Illinois -D- #60

ROBERT HEMP

BARTONVILLE Robert Harold Hemp Jr., 67, of 4021 Ricketts died at

11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1996, in the Methodist Medical Center emergency room.

Born Feb. 25, 1929, in Peoria to Robert Harold Sr. and Adeline Myrtle Hemp,

he married Dolores Jean Wood. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Rocky Sr. of Bartonville and Michael of Creve Coeur;

four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers.

 Bob McIntosh - Peoria, Ill. -D-

Bob Mooney - Announcer - D -

East Peoria - Robert Charles Mooney, 78, of 111 Sunset Drive, East Peoria,

 died at 9:25 p.m. Sunday, July 8, 2007, at ManorCare of Peoria.

He was born on July 31, 1928, in Peoria, the son of Raymond and Olga

(Lehman) Mooney. He married Patricia C. Carson on Dec. 4, 1953, in

Peoria. She preceded him death on Oct. 4, 2004.

Robert is survived by two sons, Michael J. Mooney of Chillicothe and

James A. Mooney of East Peoria; one daughter, Linda S. Mooney of

Peoria; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Catherine.

Robert worked for the Exchange National Bank in Chicago, and in 1977 fulfilled his lifelong dream by

developing and operating Rainbow Cove in East Peoria. He was a

 track announcer for many years at Peoria Speedway.

He was a member of the former Arcadia Presbyterian Church, where he had served as a Deacon and

 Elder and was also a member of the National Alliance for Mentally Ill (NAMI) and

 Peoria Old Timers Racing Association.

Robert was a United States Army veteran.

He enjoyed racing and boating.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2007, at Cumerford-Hurd Funeral Home,

428 W. McClure Ave., Peoria. Cremation rites will be accorded. Private burial in Parkview

Cemetery will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dream Factory in Pekin.

 Bob Steff -D- #25

Published on December 18, 2008 - Peoria Journal Star, The (IL)

 Robert Steff

 WEST PEORIA - Robert Jewel Steff, 89, of West Peoria passed away at 1:56 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2008,

 at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.

 He was born Feb. 12, 1919, in Steff, Ky., to Bloomer Elmer and Ruby Pearl (Smith) Steff. They preceded him in death. He married Dorothy Mae Nelson on June 6, 1953, in Louisville, Ky. She preceded him in death on Sept. 16, 2002.

 

 Surviving are three daughters, Bobbye (Gary) Pilkington of Ocklawaha, Fla., Jacqueline (Fred) Voorhees of Peoria and Karen

Bobby Allen - East Peoria, Ill. -C O- Allen Automotive Owner

Bobby Merritt - Peoria, Ill. -D- C O - (1929 to 1997) # 402

GEORGE MERRITT

PEORIA -- George Robert "Bob" Merritt, 68, of 1103 W. McClure Ave. died at 2:35 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 1997, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born March 26, 1929, in Shawnee to Wilford Miles and Mary F. French Merritt.

Surviving are three daughters, Dani Jean "Ramona" Bishop of Atlanta, Ga., and

Crystal Elaine Ochiltree and Carol Yvonne Ridgeway, both of Seattle; two brothers,

Calvin of South Pekin and Miles of Meeker, Okla

 Britt Briggs - Bellevue, Ill. - Timer / Scorer 1950 to 2002

 Bruce Daley - Oak Hill, Ill. -D-

CANTON -- R. Bruce Daley, 69, of Canton died at 3:50 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1994, at his home. Born July 11, 1925, in Fairview to Howard H. and Cora E. Hummel Daley,

he married Vivian Connor on May 23, 1953, in Canton. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Dennis Daley, and one grandson, Brian Daley, both of Miami.

He was preceded in death by one sister.

He was World War II Army Air Forces veteran, serving as a second lieutenant.

He owned and operated Daley Insurance and Real Estate

and was a Former Stock Car Driver at Peoria Speedway

 Bruce Lindbeck -  Neponset, Ill. -D- # 15

Bumps Chance - East Peoria, Ill. -D- # 24

 Candy Wisher - D - (1955 - 2002) # 9

Candace Wisher

MORTON - Services for Candace L. ''Candy'' Wisher, 47, of Morton will be at 10 a.m.

Wednesday at Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. The Rev. Vernon Betterman will officiate.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens

 in Peoria. She was pronounced dead at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, at Illini

Hospital in Silvis. She died in an automobile accident in Rock Island County.

Born Feb. 25, 1955.

 Carl Dane - D - Pekin Illinois

 Carol Anne (Hamilton) Lowery -  (1946 - 2006)

HANNA CITY - Carol Anne Lowery, age 59, of Hanna City passed away at 3:29 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006, at the Methodist Medical Center emergency room in Peoria.

She was born Sept. 30, 1946, in Peoria to Russell E. and Marjorie V. Finnegan Porter.

She married Dave Lowery on Nov. 24, 1989, in Peoria. He survives. Carol was currently

employed by Corporate Express in Peoria as an account executive. She previously

 worked for Mary Kay Cosmetics as a sales representative and was formerly part

owner of Peoria Speedway

Cecil Kalebaugh - Canton, Ill. -D-

Cecil Lance - Brimfield, Ill. -D- Father of Steve Lance Sr. & Grandfather of Tim & Steve Jr.

 Charles Royer - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 23

 Chuck Ewing - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 55

Chuck Hamilton - Peoria, Ill. -P- Born 1951 & Passed 2002

Charles Hamilton

PEORIA - Charles Allen ''Chuck'' Hamilton, 50, of Peoria died at 10:25 p.m.

Thursday, April 25, 2002, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

Born Nov. 8, 1951, in Peoria to Harold ''Hank'' and Thelma Thrasher Hamilton,

he married Patricia C. ''Patsy'' Butler on June 2, 1973.

He later married Sherrie Elgin on April 29, 1988, in Watertown, N.Y.

Speedway owner held fast to stock-car foundation

Working with Peoria Speedway owner/promoter Chuck Hamilton was such a pleasure.

Hamilton died Thursday night at the age of 50 after having open-heart surgery April 15.
Count me among the many who will miss him very much. Always accessible and ready with
an explanation or comment during even the most difficult or frustrating times, Hamilton
also was helpful to new reporters we sent to cover events at his racetrack.

Chuck Taylor - Peoria, Illinois -D- # 69

 

CHUCK TAYLOR

PEORIA -- Chuck Taylor, 48, of 3416 N. Gale died at 11:40 a.m.

Thursday, June 20, 1996, at his home. He was born Feb. 1, 1948, in Edmond, Okla.,

to Charles and Verna Brown Taylor.

Surviving are his parents of Mesa, Ariz.; two sons, Tony of East Peoria and Michael

of Peoria; one sister, Linda Westart of Chillicothe; one niece; and one nephew.

He was an Army veteran. He was a mechanic in the Peoria area for many years.

He was a member of NASCAR and the Peoria Oldtimers Racing Club.

 Chuckie Royer - Passed on March 4 - 2009

 
We have Lost a Friend and Member of the Peoria Oldtimers Racing Club
With a Heavy Heart, I have been asked from Family Members to let Everyone know of the
Passing of Chuckie Royer in Arkansas this Wednesday Afternoon at about 1:30 p.m.
Funeral to be Held in Greenland, Arkansas on Saturday - March 7 at 4 p.m.
A Memorial will be held for Chuckie in Peoria with a Date to be Announced.

 Claire 'MAC' McMahill - P C - Pitted for Brother Don McMahill & Jerry Roedell & Bill McMahill

 Cliff Ryder - Peoria Illinois - D -

 Dale Hougham - Peoria, Ill. -P S- Was on Herb Shannons U.S.A.C. Pit Crew

Dale Hougham

PEORIA - Dale C. Hougham, 75, of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Peoria, died Friday,

May 23, 2003, at Odyssey Hospice in Mesa.

Born June 29, 1927, in Peoria to Franklin and Nina Farnam Hougham, he married

Barbara Short on Nov. 15, 1952, in Peoria. She preceded him in death. He also was

 preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

Surviving are one daughter, Linn Cunningham of Mesa; two sons, Danney of Peoria

and Timothy of Mesa; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

   Dale Hougham ( Far Left )

 Dale Morris - N. Pekin, Ill. -D- # 33

 Dale's Wife Wilma Passed in October of 2009

Dale Morris

CREVE COEUR - Dale M. ''Buddy'' Morris, 66, of 209 Earl Ave.

died at 8:05 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2002, at his residence.

Born June 23, 1936, in Blemont to St. Elmo and Ruby Burton Morris,

he married Wilma Kleinschmidt on March 7, 1959, in East Peoria.

Also surviving are five daughters, Tammy

(and Tim) St. Clair of Delavan, Connie (and Brad) Herbig of Manito,

April (and Dennis) Roberson of Washington, and Melissa Morris.

Dan DeRoss - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 28

Darrel Melvin - D - # 01 - Passed on June 13, 2007

Darrel Melvin 

PEORIA - Darrel S. Melvin, 52, of Peoria died at 3:35 a.m. on Wednesday,

June 13, 2007, at his residence.

He was born on May 2, 1955, in Peoria to Robert W. and Betty B. Bundy Melvin.

He was married to Jody Blaylock and then he later married Deborah Cape.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Nancy Thaller.

Surviving are two sisters, Connie Allsup of Peoria Heights and Linda (and Lon)

 Carr of Peoria. Also surviving are four nieces and four nephews, and 19 great-nieces and great-nephews.

He previously worked at Caterpillar Inc. until 1982 and owned and operated his own towing business.

He then worked at SC2 for 18 years.

He was a member of the NASCAR Association and was a race car driver at the Peoria Speedway for

many years. He also had been captain of several pool leagues.

Services will be at noon on Saturday, June 16, 2007, at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington, where

visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon. The Rev. Bill Cordes will officiate. Cremation rites will be

accorded after services. Burial of remains will be at a later date in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in

Peoria.

Darrell Dake - #8 - D - Cedar Rapids, Iowa  08/11/1927 to 08/07/2007

Passed on 08/07/2007 at the Age of 79

Dake, Darrell Clair

 



CEDAR RAPIDS - Darrell Clair Dake, 79, of 6505 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 in his home, of cancer. Celebration of Life: 1 to 4 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. A private family burial will be held at Campbell Cemetery.

Darrell is preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer Dake and Madeline Cilvick; his brother, Denny Dake; and his daughter, Diane Streeper.

Darrell is survived by his wife, LaVerle; his children, Ronnie Dake, Theron (Josie) Manson, and Pamela Boston, all of Cedar Rapids; Maureen (David) Kilfoile of Coral Springs, Fla.; LuAnn (Gene) Pierce of Des Moines; a son-in-law, Jerry Streeper of Maquoketa; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Darrell was born Aug. 11, 1927, in Palo, and united in marriage to LaVerle on Oct. 27, 1961, in Shreveport, La. Darrell enjoyed a long and successful career in auto racing. He raced twice in the Daytona 500, in 1960 and 1961. He once said a memorable moment was in 1960 when he finished fourth in the 125-lap qualifier race for the Daytona 500 and the fifth-place finisher in that race was Lee Petty.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Please leave a message, tribute or memorial to the family on the web page www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Dean Hunt - Pekin, Ill. -S T-

Wilbur Hunt

NORTH PEKIN - Wilbur Dean Hunt, 74, of 29 Park Drive died at 12:20 p.m. Sunday,

Dec. 9, 2001, in the intensive care unit at OSF Saint Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born June 16, 1927, in Decatur to Paul and Hallie Harlow Hunt. Surviving are two sons,

Jeffrey and Larry (and Cindy), both of Peoria; two daughters, Rene (and Ross) Smith of

East Peoria and Angela Hunt of Pekin; two brothers, Robert (and Donna) of Bellevue

and James (and Nancy) of Kailua, Hawaii; Mary Hickey.

Dean Montgomery - Milan, Ill. -D- Passed in 1985 - # 32

Denny Irwin - Peoria, Ill. -D-

Dick Andrae - Pekin, Ill. -D-

Dick Coon - Peoria, Ill. -O- (1943 - 2004) # 20

Richard Coon

PEORIA HEIGHTS - Richard A. "Dick" Coon, 60, of Peoria Heights died at 8:50 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born Sept. 27, 1943, in Peoria to Sherman and Edith Kreps Coon, he married

Sharon English. Surviving are his mother of Pekin; one son, Todd (and Lisa)

of East Peoria; one daughter, Kelly (and Scott) Coppernoll of Peoria; three grandchildren;

one brother, Larry of Peoria; two sisters, Lois Coon and Shirley (and Bill)

 Dick Manuell - Peoria, Ill. -D-

 Dick Murphy - Peoria, Ill. -C O-

 Dick Wilson - East Peoria, Ill. -F- / -D- #17

 

Richard Wilson

EAST PEORIA - Richard ''Dick'' Wilson, 61, of East Peoria died at 3:16 a.m.

Thursday, June 20, 2002, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born July 11, 1940, in Peoria to Park and Velma Zombro Wilson, he married

Linda Snyder on Oct. 29, 1960, in Groveland. She survives. Also surviving are

three daughters, Teri (and Guy) Goodspeed of Morton, Tammy (and Ralph)

Jones Gilles of Creve Coeur and Tonya (and Dave) Kemper of East Peoria;

Dirk Davis - D - 12/05/1962 to 06/03/2007

PEORIA - Dirk James Davis, 44, of 2207 W. Ann St., passed away at
12:06 a.m. Sunday, June 3, 2007, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home,
Pekin Chapel, with the Rev. Terry Edele officiating. Burial will be in
Kingston Mines Cemetery in Kingston Mines.

Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to an education fund for
Dirk James Davis Jr., care of Herget National Bank in Pekin.

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

He was born Dec. 5, 1962, in Peoria to Jimmy and Mary Dorothy Davis
of Pekin. He married Angela Grant in Peoria in 1991.

Surviving are his parents; one son, Dirk James Davis Jr., of Peoria;
 two brothers, Darren J. Davis of Chillicothe and Dale J. (Lisa) Davis
of Midland, Mich.; and one grandfather, Clyde R. Dorothy of Pekin.

Davis was a self-employed mechanic at Dirk's Auto Repair Shop in
Peoria. He also worked for Trails Towing as a tow truck driver for many years.

He was of the Methodist faith.

He enjoyed racing and sponsored many race cars at Peoria Speedway.

Doc Vance Cramer - O -

Vance Cramer

ST. DAVID - Vance ''Doc'' Cramer Jr., 80, of St. David died at 12:52 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001, in Graham Hospital in Canton.

Born Oct. 16, 1920, in Latham to Vance G. Sr. and Alma Moore Cramer,

he married Dorothy Irene Gilbert on July 5, 1941, in Decatur. She died Feb. 11, 1959.

He also was preceded in death by one brother.

Surviving are two daughters, Diana Williams of St. David and Pamela Johnson of Springfield;

seven grandchildren.

 Don Cook - Peoria, Ill. -O- Don Bitner was one of his Drivers # 51

 Don Dunfee - Peoria, Ill. -D- Graduated from the University of Illinois

Won 26 Hour Race at Peoria Speedway in 1951 in a Hudson Terraplain

 Don Gray - Bellevue, Ill. -O- (1935 - 2003) Don Bitner & Denny Gray Drove Dons Cars

Donald Gray Sr.

BELLEVUE - Donald R. Gray Sr., 68, of Bellevue died at 6:35 p.m. Sunday,

Oct. 26, 2003, at his home.

Born April 25, 1935, in Peoria to Richard and Alice Woods Gray, he married

Donna M. White on Feb. 9, 1952, in Peoria. She survives. Also surviving are

five sons, Donald Jr. of Bellevue, Michael (and Elaine) and Dennis (and Amy),

both of Bartonville, James (and Brenda) of Peoria and Mark (and Kim) of Boody;

nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jake (and Dixie) of Pekin

Don Lewis - Peoria Heights, Ill. -P-

DONALD LEWIS

GALESBURG -- Donald P. Lewis, 83, of 1153 N. Henderson St. died at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, 1995,

at Americana Nursing Home in Peoria.

Born Oct. 13, 1911, in Galesburg to Arthur F. and Emma N. Nelson Lewis, he married Lillian E. Linnear

on Aug. 30, 1932, in Galesburg. She died in May 1959. He married Betty Kennedy Sandidge on

Dec. 27, 1970, in Galesburg. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Paul A. of Peoria Heights and Robert E. of Peoria; one daughter,

Shirley A. Sopher.  Don was the Promoter of Peoria Speedway from 1965 to 1974.

 Don McMahill - Hanna City, Ill. -D- # 9 - Late Model Rookie of the Year in 1961

   Don McMahill

 Don Thompson -  PS - (1937 - 2007)

EDWARDS - Donald L. Thompson, 69, of Edwards passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007,

at Bel-Wood Nursing Home. He was born on June 6, 1937, to Inez Radley in Chicago. He married

Ruthanne Armstrong on April 9, 1958, in Princeton. She preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 2006.

His mother and half brother, Bill Morris also preceded him in death.

Surviving are his sons, Larry (Mary) Thompson of Bourbonnais, and Bill Thompson and John

(Janet) Thompson, both of Edwards; his daughter, Susan (Kevin)

 Doris Dixon - Frank Dixon's Daughter

PEORIA - Doris L. Dixon, 76, of Proctor Home died at 8:43 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999,

at Methodist Medical Center.

She was born June 25, 1923, in Monmouth to Frank and Esther Moore Dixon.

Surviving is one niece. She was preceded in death by one sister.

She worked in marketing for the Ruben H. Donnelly Corp. for 30 years, retiring in 1985.

She was a former joint-owner of the Peoria Speedway and Mount Hawley Speedway.

She was a former officer of the American Business

 Earl (Dot) Baker Sr. - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 88 - Team Race Champions (passed on March 29 - 1980)

 Earl's Wife Rozena (Rose) drove Drove in the Powder Puff Races (Passed on February 03 - 1988)

 Ed 'PeeWee' Bolen - East Peoria, Ill. -D- # 24

Floyd 'Pappy' Allen - East Peoria, Ill. -O

Les Peterson Won 1964 Points for Pappy in his #16 - 1957 Chevy

Jim Strube Won 1965 Points for Pappy in his #16 - 1957 Chevy

Floyd F. Strube - D -

 

 

east peoria - Floyd F. Strube, 63, of East Peoria died at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at his home.

He was born on March 30, 1944, in Peoria, son of Henry J. and Ida (Mitzelfelt) Strube. He married Marilyn J. Sprout on Sept. 1, 1984, in Bartonville. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Nischa (Rob) Kelly of Smithfield, Mo., and Ginger (Tom) Greene of Albuquerque, N.M.; one stepdaughter, Lisa (Steven) Wagstaff of East Peoria; six grandchildren, Victoria, Taylor, Dallas, Charles, Kalyn and Christopher; one sister, Darlene (Ed) Cornish of Peoria; and two brothers, Fred (Cindy) Strube and Chuck Strube, both of St. Cloud, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Hank, John, Jim and Howard.

Floyd worked at Strube & Sons Auto Rebuilders and also at various Chevrolet Dealerships in the Peoria Area. In 2006, after 30 years, he retired from United Ready Mix in Peoria, where he drove a mixer.

He was a member of Seventh Day Adventist Church in Peoria and Teamsters Local No. 627.

Floyd was an avid Dale Earnhardt fan and he enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel in Bartonville, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Smithville Cemetery in Smithville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, Peoria Old Timers Racing Club or Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria.

Online condolences may be submitted to www.mem.com.

 Frank Dixon - Peoria, Ill. -P-

Frank was the Promoter of Peoria Speedway from 1953 to 1964

Created the Peoria Racing Club in 1954 - Created the Team Race & Illinois State Championships

 Frank Gottman - N. Pekin, Ill. -D- # 75

FRANK GOTTMAN

PEKIN - Frank G. Gottman, 72, of 4100 Edgewater Drive died at 10:20 a.m., Thursday,

July 13, 2000, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born April 24, 1928, in Altamont to August Fred and Edna Mae Thompson Gottman,

he married Lily Marie Perry on June 1, 1948, in St. Elmo. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Robert (and Nancy) of Creve Coeur and Larry (

and Christine) of Pekin; two daughters, Shirley (the Rev. Gary) England of

East Peoria and Bonnie Shirley of North Pekin.

 Fred Rapp - Morton, Ill. -P-

FREDERICK RAPP -  Fred was the Peoria Speedway Book-Keeper from 1965 to 1974

MORTON - Frederick J. ''Fritz'' Rapp, 72, of 1026 E. Monroe St. died at 9:57 a.m.

Saturday, March 3, 2001, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.

Born Dec. 24, 1928, in Peoria to Christian and Louise Weishaupt Rapp,

he married Grace Gieseke Ingram on Nov. 10, 1979, in Morton. She survives.

Also surviving are one stepdaughter, Debbie (and Willie) Glueck of Morton;

one stepgranddaughter; and two sisters, Mary Payton of Yates City and Joyce

 Freddie Voight - East Peoria, Ill. -D-

Also former Announcer at Peoria Speedway

  Freddie Voight

 Gary Poston - PC - Peoria

PEORIA - Gary Poston, 53, of Peoria died at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at his residence.

He was born Aug. 15, 1948, in Peoria to Homer and Shirley Neal Poston. Surviving are his parents

of Peoria; his former wife, Vicki NicholsPoston of Bartonville; two sons, Sean and Kyle (and Jennifer),

 both of Peoria; one stepdaughter, Megan Burwell of Peoria; one brother, Kenneth (and Sue)

of Brimfield; three sisters, Kim (and Harold) Sherrard and Sue (and Dennis) Price, both of Peoria.

Gary Reinhart - East Moline, Ill. -D-

Son Of the Late Quad Cities Driver Jerry Reinhart & Charlotte of Hawkeye Racing News

Gene Jackson - E.Peoria, Ill. -M-

Mechanic for the Late Driver Jim Baker

Gene Pfeiffer - S. Pekin, Ill. -D-

George Reed - Peoria, Ill. -D-

George Strate Sr.- Machinist at Hill-Kasteen in Peoria

Hal Dunlap - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 100

 Hank Hamilton - Peoria, Ill. -P-

Peoria Speedway Promoter 1975 to 1989

Hank Menold - Morton, Ill. -D-

 Hank Strube - Hanna City, Ill. -D- (12 /07/1927 - 08/05/2004)

 Harold Coffel - Peoria, Ill. -D-

Harold Render - El Paso, Ill. -C O- (1915 to 1990) # 72 Render Special

EL PASO - Harold L. Render, 75, of Peoria, formerly of El Paso, a former oil company salesman

and past national commander of the 80th Division Veterans Association, died at 4:10 a.m.

yesterday (June 29, 1990) at Galena Park Nursing Home, Peoria.

His funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Wilton Mortuary, Peoria, and 10 a.m. at St. Bernard's Church,

Peoria. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, El Paso.

 

 

 

Harry 'Brownie' Brown -P S- (1916 to 1998)

HARRY BROWN

WEST PEORIA -- Harry "Brownie" Brown, 81, of West Peoria died at

10:55 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 1998, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born Dec. 14, 1916, in Pocahontas, Ark., to Jess and Maud White Brown,

he married Margaret Edwards on Feb. 17, 1946, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, David Edwards of Mapleton; three daughters,

Diana Johnson of Roanoke, Nola Brown Jackson of Benson and

Janet Green of Peoria.

Harry Neal - Peoria, Ill. -

Part Owner of the Peoria Speedway 1975  to 1980

Also Owner of Neal Auto Parts

 Herb Frickleton - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 15

Howard Strube - Trivoli, Ill. -D-  (9-25-1937)  (2-1-1976)

Drove # 70 for Don 'Red' Merritt

 Hugh Griffin - East Peoria, Ill. - O -

Hugh L. Griffin

 Hugh L. Griffin

Date:
September 19th, 1921 - March 25th, 2009
EAST PEORIA—Hugh L. Griffin, 87, of East Peoria died at 6:46 PM on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at

Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Born on Sept 19, 1921 in Decaturville, TN to Jesse and Fannie

Tillman Griffin, he married Melissa M. Cordle on December 25, 1941 in Corinth, MS. She preceded

him in death on January 9, 2002 in Peoria. Surviving are 3 children, Tony (Mary) Griffin, Travis

(Kathy) Griffin, and Teresa (Dan) Earle, all of East Peoria; 7 grandchildren, Jesse (Buffie)

Griffin, Ryan (Erica) Griffin, Nathan, Josetta and Samuel Griffin, and Melissa and Andrew Earle;

3 great grandchildren, Blake, Kelsie, and Chase Griffin; and 1 sister, Melba Higdon of

Decaturville, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Maurine Kindle.

Hugh worked for Caterpillar, Inc. as a mechanic at the Proving Grounds for 34 years,

and also worked as a carpenter for 50 years. He was a member of First United

Methodist Church in East Peoria, the Local UAW #974, Carpenter’s Local #183

and NASCAR. A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, March 28 at Deiters

Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. The Rev. Mary Arnold will officiate.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, March 27 at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Roberts Cemetery in Morton, where military rites will be accorded.
Memorials:
First United Methodist Church in East Peoria
Visitations:
6:00PM to 8:00PM on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory
Services:
1:00PM at Deiters Funeral Home - East Peoria on Saturday, March 28th, 2009
Cemetery:
Roberts Cemetery
300 W. Jefferson
Morton, IL.

I. G. Lane - Springfield, Ill. -P-

Original Builder and Owner of the Peoria Speedway 1948 to 1953

Jack Goujon - D - # 33

GOUJON -- Malcolm (Jack), 67, of Albuquerque, passed away Saturday February 2, 2008 at his home, after many years battling heart disease. He was born on April 12, 1940 in Peoria, IL to Leo and Muriel Goujon. He married Martha E. Spradling on March 10, 1967. He is survived by his wife, Martie; children Jack Goujon and wife, Nancy; Jeff Goujon and wife, Terri; Ginger Green and husband, Tom; and Jill Davis and husband, Craig. Grandchildren are Claire, Jett, Jess, Anna, Dallas, Dylan, and Ashley. His sisters, Mary George and husband, Fred; and Leona Sleister and husband, Gary. Many more nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Vance. He was a member of Teamsters Union Local 627 in Illinois and Local 492 in Albuquerque. He was a retired Roadway driver and was an avid golfer. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, February 7, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at Riverside Church of Christ, 3100 La Orilla Rd. NW. Reverend Mark Mc Kenzie will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to family.

 Jack Tyne #89 - D - Streator Illinois
Jack E.W. Tyne
May 30, 1929 - July 24, 2009
   

Feature Image

Facts

Born: May 30, 1929
Place of Birth: Princeton, Illinois
Death: July 24, 2009

Survived By

Steve (Jamie) Tyne, Son
Karen (Roger) Duncan, Daughter
Cheri Tyne, Grand Daughter
Kayla Tyne, Grand Daughter
Jimmy Hallam Jr., Grand Son
Jesse Hallam, Grand Son
Lloyd Tyne, Brother
Lorraine (James) Riley, Sister
2, Great Grandchildren

Biography

Jack E. W. Tyne of Streator passed away at 2:50 P.M.. Friday afternoon July 24, 2009.
Funeral Services for Jack Tyne will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday morning July 29, 2009 at the Elias Funeral Home. Rev. Bill Niebuhr will officiate and conduct graveside rites at Phillips Cemetery
Full Military rites including Honor Guard, Firing Squad, Flag Folding Team and Taps will be provided by members of the American Legion Post 217, and V.F.W. Post 1492.
Visitation for Jack Tyne will be held from 4-8 P.M. Tuesday evening July 28, at the Elias Funeral Home
Born May 30, 1929 in Princeton Illinois he was the son of Earl and Mary (Bell) Tyne.
He married Marlene Falling May 14, 1955. She died November 23, 2003.
He is survived by one son Steve (Jamie) Tyne and one daughter Karen (Roger) Duncan both of Streator, 4 grandchildren Cheri Tyne, Kayla Tyne, Jimmy Hallam Jr. and Jesse Hallam, 2 great grandchildren and his beloved dog Honey. Also surviving are one brother Lloyd Tyne and one sister Lorraine (James) Riley both of Las Vegas NV and sister-in-laws, Eleanor Quinn of GA. Marian Stasko and Gaila Tyne both of Streator, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother Gerald Tyne.
He served in the United States Army stationed in Korea, from 1951 - 1953
He was an Electrician at Owens Illinois Glass Co. for over 40 years, retiring in 1991.
He was active in area sports including Bowling, Softball, and Basketball participating with Owens’ Teams.
He was a member of American Legion Post 217 and V.F.W. Post 1492.
He was a member of the Christian Faith.
Racing was Jack’s life. He began racing at the age of 16 and was well known in the Midwest for racing the dirt track circuit. He continued to race until the age of 55 and won several dirt track championships in Illinois. When he retired from racing he became a car owner for his son Steve until 2003. Until his passing Jack remained in the racing community, building motors and helping on stock cars for his friends. He was entered into the Mazon Speed Bowl Hall of Fame in 2005 and received the Eli “Spud” Schlipf award at the Fairbury American Legion Speedway in 2008

 J.R. McMahill - Hanna City, Ill. -D- # 3m Late Model & Modified

 

DONALD MCMAHILL JR.

TRIVOLI -- Services for Donald E. "J.R." McMahill Jr., 30, of 19421 Linwood Drive,

who was pronounced dead at 8:08 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 1995, in Fulton County,

will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Davison- Fulton Woodland Chapel. The Rev. E.J. Lang will officiate.

He died at the scene of an accident east of Canton, when his car failed to make a sharp curve.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Burial will be in Smithville Cemetery

 Jack Henson -Stronghurst, Ill. -D- # 00

  Jack Henson

 Jason Thuenick - Germantown Hills, Ill. -D-

 Jerry Roedell - Peoria Ill - D - # 3
 Born: December 29, 1929 Died: April 23, 1995

 

GERALD (Jerry) ROEDELL WEST PEORIA -- Gerald H. Roedell, 65, of 2227 W. Herold died at 10:08 a.m. Sunday, April 23,

1995, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born Dec. 29, 1929, in Peoria to Cleo and Rosetta McGrew Roedell, he married Pat Murphy on Oct. 22, 1951, in Pocahontas, Ark. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Gerry Smick of Chillicothe and Roxy Wolland of Peoria; one son, Dana of Edwards; one sister, Betty Stimeling of Peoria; four grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.

 Jess Cox - Bartonville, Ill. -D- # 15

Jim Baker - East Peoria, Ill. -D- # 66

 Jim Kimball - Peoria, Ill. -O- (1938 to 2003) # 98

Frank Friederich Drove for Kimball

James Kimball

BELLEVUE - James Leroy Kimball, 65, of Bellevue died at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday,

Dec. 24, 2003, at his home.

Born Nov. 15, 1938, in Peoria to William Hazen and Edith Brooks Kimball, he married

Dorothy "Dottie" Wagner in 1987. She died in May 1998 in Pahrump, Nev. He later married

Coleen Sibley on July 21, 2000, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Terri (and Michael) Stanton of Joliet and Vickie (and Matt)

Osborn of San Diego; one son, Jimmy.

Jim Strube - Peoria, Ill. -D- (1932 - 1996)

1965 Point Champ for Pappy Allen # 16

Also Point Champion for Ray Neltner # 75

 

JIM STRUBE

 Jim Maxwell - Canton, Ill. -D- # 29 Studebaker

 Jimmy Hisle - Deer Creek, Ill. -D-  ( 1959 - 2005 ) # 61

Jimmy Hisle

Deer Creek - Jimmy D. Hisle, 45, of 213 Main St. died at 11:50 p.m. Monday,

June 20, 2005, at his residence.

Born June 26, 1959, in Pekin to James and Nina Flier Hisle, he married Lesley Roberts

on June 25, 1999, in Bloomington. She survives. Also surviving are one son,

Daniel Roberts of Deer Creek; two half sisters, Judy (and Thomas) Lowman of Manito

and Connie (and Eugene) Pumphery of Peoria; and one half brother,

Danny Hisle of Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

Jim VanOppen - D - #48

EAST PEORIA - James E. VanOppen, 54, of 206 Court St. died at 7:15 a.m. Saturday,

Dec. 6, 2003, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born July 13, 1949, in Peoria to Delbert H. and Eileen R. Young VanOppen.

Surviving are two sons, Dason and Derick, both of St. Louis; Judy Guymon, with

whom he made his home for more than 15 years; her daughter, Cindy Guymon of

Morton, whom he helped raise; her son, Shawn Guymon of East Peoria, whom he helped raise.

 Joe McBride -P-

Part owner of the Peoria Speedway 1975 to 1980

 John Connolly - Delhi, Iowa -D- Passed in 1981

Johnny Beauchamp - Atlantic, Iowa -D-

( Born : March 23, 1923  -  Passed : April 17, 1981 ) 

Johnny Coonce - Peoria, Ill. -D-

Owner of the "Pit Stop' Tavern on Seibold & Idaho in Peoria

Johnny O'Laughlin - D - East peoria, Illinois

EAST PEORIA - John D. O'Laughlin, 62, of rural East Peoria passed away at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria.

He was born Oct. 21, 1946, in Peoria to Michael and Eunice DeRaedt O'Laughlin. He formerly was married to Stephanie L. Montgomery. She survives, of Sunnyland.

He also is survived by two sons, Bryan (Dena) O'Laughlin of Bartonville and Kelly (Traci) O'Laughlin of East Peoria; one daughter, Megan O'Laughlin of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandchildren, Connor O'Laughlin, Drew and Chase Burgess, and Reilly and Kelsey O'Laughlin; one brother, James (Jackie) O'Laughlin of Germantown Hills, Ill.; and one sister, Barbara (Ron) Russell of Toledo, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

John worked in the Logistics Department at Caterpillar Inc., retiring in 2002.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving during peacetime.

John started the Springfield Junior Blues and Peoria Mustangs Hockey Teams.

He was a former drag racer and stock car racer,

racing under the name of Johnny O.

He was a member of Central Illinois Cruisers Car Club.

He was the former owner and operator of Protow Custom Trailers in East Peoria.

He attended St. Mary's of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Cremation rites will be accorded. There will be no services, at John's request.

Wright & Salmon Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.

Tributes and condolences can be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.

Jonathon Hamilton - Peoria, Ill. -D-

 

JONATHON HAMILTON

PEORIA -- Jonathon E. Hamilton, 19, of 3430 W. Sylvan Lane died at 11:30 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 3, 1995, at Methodist Medical Center. He was born Aug. 19, 1976,

in Peoria to Chuck and Patsy Galvin Hamilton.

Surviving are his father and stepmother, Chuck and Sherrie Hamilton of Peoria;

his mother and stepfather, Patsy and Ron Butler of Peoria; one stepbrother,

Rick Naramore of East Peoria; one stepsister, Kelly Davis of Joliet; and grandmother,

Lucy Galvin of Pekin.

He was a 1994 graduate of Richwoods High School.

 Kenneth Edward Headley - Fairbury Illinois - D -

 

FAIRBURY - Kenneth Edward Headley, 76, a Fairbury native, died at 4:15 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 21, 2005)

Hello there,

 My name is J headley and i stumbled upon your website featuring old timers. I am wondering if you know of Hoffer's Death Valley Track? I have a article(s) from the newspaper concerning my grandfather Kenneth E. Headley who raced there back in 49-51 i believe. he wrote a book and we have some cd's with video of him telling stories of racing. My great-grandmother kept every newspaper clipping and any other memorabilia she could get that included my grandpa. I know he raced in Peoria as well as Fairbury (where we are from) and that he was GOOD! i have a few of his trophies from back in the day. anyway i was wondering if it would be possible to include a part of his legacy in your website. I would like to learn more about some of the people over there to know if he raced with them. He was 21 years old when he shattered the track record at the above mentioned track. This would have been on Sunday, Sept. 30th 1949. I believe that Peoria track was purchased in 1950 although i am not sure and i cannot find any information on Hoffers which leads me to assume that it is possibly the old Hoffer track and the name changed when purchased.(????????) I hope that you can shed some light on the subject for me and i look forward to hearing from you. I have a copy of my g-pa's book that has a whole section dedicated to racing. if you are into old school racing, there is an abundance of pics and stories in there with a lot of people from Peoria area included. i believe the library in town has a copy as well that can be checked out. I hope this finds you well and i appreciate your site and interest in old timers.

                                                Sincerely,
                                                        J Headley

 

 

 

 

Kenny Parret - Pekin, Il. -D- # 305

 

Kenny "Buck" Smith - Peoria, Ill. - D -

# 69 Modified

 

PEORIA - W. Kenny "Buck" Smith, 38, of Peoria died at 2:25 a.m.

Saturday, April 14, 2007, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Sept. 12, 1968, in Peoria to William H. and

 Wanda L. (Guinn) Smith. He married Carla Vecera on Oct. 17,

1998, in Bartonville. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Wanda (Robert) Bailey of Bloomington;

one daughter, Jennifer Smith of Peoria; two sisters, Terry Wills of Murphysboro, Tenn.,

and Mary Bailey of Bloomington, Ill.; three grandchildren, Courtney, Kaitlyn and Emily Smith,

all of Peoria; and his mother-in-law, Carol Vecera of Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Patricia Smith.

He was a sportsman and was self-employed as an auto mechanic.

Cremation will be accorded. Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation Services is in charge of

arrangements. Burial of ashes will be at a later date. A memorial luncheon will be held

from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at the Limestone American Legion Post 979.

Memorials may be made to the Kenny "Buck" Smith family memorial fund at Bartonville Bank.

 Kenny Sparks - Peoria, Ill. -D- (1941 - 2005) # 29

Kenneth Sparks

East Peoria - Kenneth

William "Sparky" Sparks, 64, of East Peoria died at 11:20 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5,

2005. Born Jan. 15, 1941, in Peoria to William and Shirley Moran Sparks,

he married Janet Kaeb on Aug. 27, 1960, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother of Peoria; one daughter, Lynn (and Scott)

Bosecker of Mapleton; one son, Jay (and Jill Guldan) of Washington;

six sisters, Becky (and Jim) Trockur of Rushville, Barbara Berry of Houston, Judith

of Peoria 

Larry Armentrout - Sheffield, Ill. -D-

Larry Paulen - Peoria, Ill. -D-

Lee Lasley - Springfield, Ill. -D-

Leonard Dunn - Sheffield, Ill. -DO-

LeRoy Bauman - East Peoria, Ill. -D- Passed 2004 - # 30

Les Adams - D - Born October 17, 1931 & Passed June 28, 2006

Les 'Tiger' Snow - Bloomington, Ill. -D-

Born : September 20, 1925 - Passed on March 14, 1987 at Home in Bloomington.

Peoria Speedway Stock Car Point Champ in 1950, 1951 & 1952

34 Career A.R.C.A. Race Wins 1956 thru 1970 (Automobile Racing Club of America)

7 Career U.S.A.C. Stock Car Wins (United States Auto Club)

Ended Racing Career in 1971 after injury at Winchester, Indiana A.S.A. Event

Lloyd Caldwell - Lincoln, Ill. -D- ( 11/08/1925 - 08/07/2004 ) # 72

Lloyd Caldwell Jr.  

Lloyd Caldwell, Jr., 78, of Bradenton,Florida died August 7, 2004. Born November 2, 1925, in Lincoln, Ill., he moved to Bradenton in 1992 from Sarasota where he had lived since 1972. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bradenton. He was in the Merchant Marines for 4 years. He was manager of Promenade Condo from 1992 to 2003. He is survived by his wife Treece, son John of Riverton, Ill., daughters Jane Brewer of Santa Fe, N.M., Ann Yocum of Chatham, Ill. and Chris Elam of Riverton, Ill. and six grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 10 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes 43rd St. Chapel 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton, FL 34209. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 11 at First Baptist Church of Bradenton 1306 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Music Ministry.
Published in the Bradenton Herald on 8/9/2004.

 Lloyd Ewing - Kewanee, Ill. -D- (1930 - 2005)

 KEWANEE - Lloyd W. Ewing Jr., 74, of Kewanee died at

7:48 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2005, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born July 24, 1930, in Davenport, Iowa, to Lloyd W. Sr. and Edna Richter Ewing.

Surviving are one son, Steve (and Darla) of Lafayette; three grandchildren; and

Georgia Conner, with whom he made his home.

He was a salesman for Sieg Co. and later was a partner in Kewanee Auto Supply.

In 1971, he purchased Ann's Inn, later renamed

  Lloyd Ewing

 Louie Crooks - Pekin, Ill. -D- # 3 & # 49

Was a Stunt Driver for 'Lucky Lott' Thrill Show of Pekin Illinois 1940's to 1950's

 Louis 'Rocky' Nohl - Morton, Ill. -D- # 4

 Lou Weller - East Peoria, Ill. -CO- Reggie Wellers Father

 Lou Weller - East Peoria, Ill. -CO- Reggie Wellers Father

 Lyle Edward Beltz

Saturday, June 14, 2008

NORMAL - Lyle Edward Beltz, 74, Normal, formerly of Bloomington, died at 6:10 a.m. Thursday

(June 12, 2008) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, Bloomington.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Rev. Vernon Oakley will officiate.

Interment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington. Memorials may be made to the family

 in Lyle's memory.

Lyle was born March 16, 1934, in Bloomington, a son of Edward H. Beltz and Lucille Taylor Beltz.

He was a life-long resident of Bloomington. Lyle was an avid NASCAR fan and had raced stock cars

and go-carts himself for many years.

He was an avid fan and lifelong friend of Frank Shickle Sr., a stock car driver/racer. Lyle enjoyed going to

 flea markets and sales, always searching for a bargain.

On July 19, 1980, he married Mary Wahls. She survives.

In addition to his wife, Mary, Normal, Lyle is survived by two stepchildren, Merkel Gene Davis and

Rose Wilburn, both of Bloomington; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; three nephews;

one niece; and a dear friend, George Bradford, Bloomington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

 Maxie Myers - Peoria. Ill. - Spectator - Passed 07/29/1951

Both were Fatally Injured at Peoria Speedway on July 29, 1951

Both Maxie & Nellie were struck by a loose tire & wheel that went over the retaining

fence while sitting in the Back-stretch Bleachers


 Nellie Myers - Peoria, Ill. - Spectator - Passed 07/29/1951

Both Maxie & Nellie were Fatally Injured at Peoria Speedway on July 29, 1951

Both were struck by a loose tire & wheel that went over the retaining

fence while sitting in the Back-stretch Bleachers

 Paul Lewis - Peoria Heights, Ill. -D- # 4

PAUL LEWIS

PEORIA HEIGHTS - PaulArthur Lewis, 63, of Peoria Heights died at 1:57 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born Nov. 18, 1936, in Peoria to Donald P. and Lillian Linnier Lewis,

he married Harriet Gleason on Nov. 2, 1958, in Peoria Heights. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Jerry (and Janet) of St. Charles, Mo., and Mike

(and Sue) of Peoria Heights; one daughter, Shari (and Scott) Favorite of Peoria Heights;

one brother, Robert of Peoria

 Paul Liebbe - Davenport, Iowa -A-

Peoria Speedway Annoucer 1967 to 1974

 Paul Schertz - Peoria, Ill. -D-

 Pete Mc Intosh - Peoria, Ill. -D-

 Phil Rakestraw - Pekin, Illinois -D-

Was a Stunt Driver for the 'Lucky Lott' Thrill Show of Pekin Illinois

 Porky Jansen - Peoria -M- Pit Crew Member for The Late Jim Baker

 'Port' Emerel Defraties - 07/23/1905 to 08/16/1972

Springfield, Ill. -P-

Port's Promotions - 430 Reisch Building - Springfield Illinois

Attempted Indy '500' in 1940 - But, Did Not Qualify

Peoria Speedway Promoter 1950 to 1952 ( Port's Promotions )

Also Promoted - Farmer City Speedway, Bushnell Speedway,

Litchfield Sports Arena Speedway, Lincoln Speedway,

Knoxville Atomic Speedway, Macomb Speedway,

Springfield Speedway, Fairbury A.L. Speedway, Augusta Speedway,

Kankakee Speedway, Canton Speedway

 Ralph McAvoy - D - Pekin Ill.

 Ralph Nash - Pekin, Ill. -D- # 305

 Ray DeMoss - Radio

BARTONVILLE - Ray DeMoss, 53, of 5136 W. Cisna Road died at 3:15 p.m. Sunday,

April 14, 2002, at Rose Garden Care Center in Peoria Heights.

Born Oct. 23, 1948, in Peoria to Albert Ray Sr. and Mary Kaurinas DeMoss, he married

Patricia Dowds on June 5, 1989, in Denver. She survives. Also surviving are one son,

Dustin (and Keirsten) of Brimfield; two daughters, Amy (and Jack) Bushard of Peoria

and Jessica DeMoss at home; one stepson, Joshua Dunbar of Peoria;

one stepdaughter, Jamie Dowds

Ray Fengel - Canton, Ill. -D-

Won 300 Lap Race at Peoria Speedway in 1950

 Ray Neltner Sr. - Peoria, Ill. -O- (1932 - 2003)

Jim Strube Won Numerous Point Championships in Rays # 75

Raymond Neltner Sr.

PEORIA - Raymond V. Neltner Sr., 71, of 2412 W. Malone died at 1:30 a.m. Monday,

April 28, 2003, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

Born Feb. 14, 1932, in Peoria to Joseph and Edna McMillan Neltner, he married

Beverly J. Pryor on June 18, 1955, in Peoria. She died Aug. 29, 1997. He also was

preceded in death by two brothers.

Surviving are two sons, Raymond Jr. (and Michele) and Randal, both of Peoria;

one daughter, Raenel (and Robert) Wilson of London Mills; two sisters, Betty Humes

 Red Griffin - Bloomington, Ill. -D- Passed 2005

Rocky Griffins Dad

Rich Denney  - Race Fan

East Peoria - Rich A. Denney, 71, of East Peoria died at 5:29 p.m. on Saturday,

Oct. 29, 2005, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born on July 6, 1934, in East Peoria, Ill., to Fred and Bessie Frances Hammond Denney, Sr.

He married Lois St. Clair in April of 1957 in Peoria. She preceded him in death in November of 1997.

Surviving are two sons, David (Marcia) Denney of Peoria Heights and Steven Denney of Minneapolis,

Minn.; four brothers, Fred (Joanne) Denney of Knoxville, Tenn.,

 Richard Reeder - O -Gerry Reeder Sr's Dad 

Robert Salazaar - ( 1951 - 2005 )

Robert Salazar  - Peoria Speedway Front Gate

PEORIA - Robert Salazar, 52, of 1032 N. Emily Place died at

3:45 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2005, at his residence. Born Aug. 26, 1952, in Modesto, Calif.,

to Manuel and Sara Rosario Blanco Salazar, he married Cindy R. Elgin on April 25, 1987,

 in Lake Tahoe, Nev. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Angela (and Cory) Stowell of Delavan; one son,

Rick Lockwood of Illinois; two sisters, Josie (and Fernando) Gonzalez and Eva Ford,

both of Modesto, Calif.; two brothers

 Robert Speck - D - Born 1936 - Passed 1998

NORTH PEKIN -- Robert Lee Speck, 61, of 14 Glen Lane, formerly of Tremont and

Groveland, died at 2:08 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 1998, in the emergency room at Pekin Hospital.

Born April 30, 1936, in Metamora to John Henry and Violet Myrtle Bohlander Speck,

he married Delores N.G. Stolt on Aug. 30, 1969, in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Darrel and Dale, both of North Pekin, and Dennis of

Kingston Mines; one daughter, Lannette Speck of Kingston Mines; three sisters.

Rocky Collins - Peoria, Ill. -D- # 14

 Roger Baxter - Peoria Illinois - D - Drove Street Stock #56  for Jimmy Nizzia in 1980

Roger Darling - Peoria, Illinois -D-

Ron DeLap - Metamora, Ill. -D-

Ronald Graham - CO - (1939 - 2006)

PEORIA - Ronald G. "Ron" Graham Sr., 66, of Peoria died at 2:44 p.m. Thursday,

May 11, 2006, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

Born Oct. 19, 1939, in Peoria, he was raised by his stepfather and mother, Irwin

Bud and Leota Dorothy Anderson Kirste. He married Dianna L. Miller on

Sept. 4, 1964, in Peoria. She died Nov. 10, 1992, in Bellevue.

 He later married Diane Harris on April 17, 1999, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother of Peoria

Ronnie Weedon - Pleasant Valley, Iowa -D- Passed 2005 - # 00

Illinois State Champion at Peoria Speedway in 1976

Ross Mandrell  - D -

MORTON - Ross C. Mandrell, 48, of 15418 Rosa Trail in San Antonio, formerly of Morton,

died at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at University Hospital in San Antonio.

He was born Dec. 16, 1956, in Peoria to Kenneth E. and Sharon L. Ross Mandrell.

Surviving are his mother of Morton; three sisters, Kendra (and Gerald) Briggs of Peoria,

Wanda (and Ronald) Severtson of Tremont and Twyla (and David) Rainey of Tuscola;

two brothers, Kevin of San Antonio and Scott of Morton; one daughter, Amber

RUSS EWOLDT

Russ Owned the # 57 Cars that Don Bohlander Drove in the 60's & 70's

Russell Charles Ewoldt

December, 21, 2008  DAVENPORT — Russell Charles Ewoldt, 78, of Davenport passed away Friday,

December 19, 2008, at Genesis Medical Center West Campus, Davenport. Funeral services are Tuesday, December 23, 2008,

at 2:30 p.m. at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation is from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in

Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the family.
Russell was born on June 30, 1930, in New Liberty, Iowa, the son of Charles F. and Margaret (Rohlfs) Ewoldt. He was united in

marriage to Carol Breckling on January 14, 1956, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Davenport. Russell was a veteran of the

U.S. Army having served in Korea.
Russell worked at Farmall for 22 years retiring in 1985. After retirement he worked for Builders Cement in Davenport for several years.

Russell's passion was stock car racing. He raced and owned cars from 1960 until 1973 and was an avid NASCAR fan until the end.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Rita (Paul) Schroeder; granddaughter, Ashley Wiechman; sister,

Henrietta (Robert) Poppe; sister-in-law, Karen (Robert) Spring; numerous nieces and nephews.

Russell Porter   - O - 

Part Owner of Peoria Speedway 1980 to 1990

PEORIA - Russell E. Porter, 88, of Peoria died at 9:47 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, at Proctor Hospital.

Born Sept. 28, 1914, in Peoria to William H. and Charlotte D. House Porter, he married

Marjorie V. Finnegan on Nov. 24, 1939 in St. Louis. She survives. Also surviving are two

daughters, Carol (and Dave) Lowery of Hanna City and Judith (and Rod) Wand of Morton;

and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, one sister and three infant granddaughters.

Ruthanne Thompson  - Pit-Shack Worker

EDWARDS - Ruthanne Thompson, 68, of Edwards passed away at 12:45 a.m.

Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006, at Morton Terrace in Morton.

She was born on March 3, 1938, to L. E. Army and Arnola (Stone) Armstrong in Bloomington, Ill.

She married Donald L. Thompson on April 9, 1958, in Princeton, Ill. He survives. Also surviving

are her mother, Arnola Armstrong; three sons, Larry (Mary) Thompson of Bourbonnais, Ill., and

Bill Thompson and John (Janet) Thompson, both of Edwards; one daughter, Susan (Kevin)

Scotty Harris - Mapleton. Ill. -D- # 77

 Shari Roark Chumney - Peoria Speedway Fan - Passed August of 2009

Chumney, Sharon

BELLEVUE - Sharon "Shari" L. Chumney, 46, of Bellevue passed away on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at 11:27 a.m. at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

She was born on Dec. 29, 1962, in San Antonio, Texas, to Frank and Helen (Scott) Roark. She married Raymond G. Chumney Jr. on Nov. 8, 1996, in Peoria, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her father and one brother, Lee Roark.

Surviving are her husband, Raymond "Chum" of Bellevue; her beloved dogs, Scooby and Callie; her mother, Helen Roark of Peoria; one son, Frankie Lee Roark of Peoria; two stepchildren, Melissa (David) Wilson of North Pekin and Raymond G. (Carrie) Chumney III of Pekin; and one brother, Frank Roark of Peoria.

She worked as a dealer supervisor at the Par-a-Dice Riverboat Casino in East Peoria before leaving to take care of her family.

Shari loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, riding on the Harley, traveling and stock car racing.

Her love for racing came from the many years spent watching the races and helping at the Peoria Speedway.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. A service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the chapel, with the Rev. Jack Thompson officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral.

Memorials may be made to the Chumney Family Fund established at CEFCU in Peoria.

Online tributes and condolences may be submitted to http://www.davison-fulton.com/

Shorty Kalkwarf - Minonk, Illinois - D - # 11

Gene Kalkwarf

MINONK - Gene A. "Shorty" Kalkwarf, 69, of 635 E. Sixth St., Minonk, passed away at 5:28 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, at Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Leesburg, Fla.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Minonk. Pastor Craig Swenson will officiate. Burial will be in St. Petri Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Flanagan. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Minonk and one hour prior to services at his church.

Shorty was born Jan. 11, 1938, at Flanagan, a son of Henry and Bertha Flohr Kalkwarf. He married Barbara Ehresman on Sept. 21, 1958, at Salem Mennonite Church in rural Gridley. She survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Sharie (Bob) Hansen of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two sons, Terry (Jane) Kalkwarf and Larry (Nikki) Kalkwarf, both of Minonk; two sisters, Joan (David) Seifert of Michigan City, Ind., and Jane (William) Diaz of Pontiac; five grandchildren, Matt (Valerie) Kalkwarf, Brianna Kalkwarf, Jayden Kalkwarf, Danielle Kalkwarf and James Kalkwarf.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Minonk. He served on the board and was a member of Tall Oaks Country Club in Toluca.

He was previously the owner of Shorty's Soil Service and had worked at Burroughs Ag Service, Stoller Implement and lastly Uftring Automotive in Minonk. He also was the owner and operator of Shorty's Signs.

Shorty was an avid stock car driver and fan. After many years of racing himself, he taught others the sport. He was an avid fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr., the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. He enjoyed golfing in Illinois and Florida and spending time with his family and many friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Minonk or the Victory Junction Gang.

Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.

Shorty Stegmeier - Peoria, Ill. -D-

Steven Burchell  - D -

TOPEKA - Steven W. Burchell, 34, of 22016 Elm St. died at 4:20 p.m.

Thursday, March 24, 2005, at his home.

He was born Sept. 16, 1970, in Peoria to James Harold Bice and Thelma Louise Burchell.

Surviving are one son, Kevin Carrigan of Granite City; one daughter, Stephanie McKinney of

Peoria; his fiancee, Shelley Bobbs of Topeka; his father of Manito; his grandmother,

Virginia Burchell of Peoria; three brothers, David Robinson and Jason Bice, both of

 Pekin, and James Bice II of Topeka

Steve Maxheimer - Morton, Ill. -D- # 43 Camaro

Swede Gailliert - Peoria, Illinois - Flagman - (1926 to 2007)

Former Flagman at Peoria Speedway, Springfields Speedway and many other

Tracks in Illinois & Missou

Tom Callaer - Peoria Illinois -D- Passed 2005

Thomas Dozard Sr. - D -

CREVE COEUR - Thomas Eldon Dozard Sr., 58, of 1311 Fischer Road passed away at 7:45 a.m.

Friday, May 8, 2009, at his residence.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel,

where visitation will be one hour before. Cremation will be accorded. Burial of cremains will be

at a later date in Fon du Lac Cemetery in East Peoria.

Tony Turk - Pekin, Ill. -C O-
 
Owner of Turk Alignment Company in Pekin Illinois
Owned Coupes Numbered  57 - 157 - 257 - 357 - 457 - 557 in the 1950's
 

 Veral Boken - Peoria, Ill. -D-  ( 03/21/1928 - 10/07/1964 ) # 16

 

 Walter Rockhold - O - Pekin, Ill. - Manny Rockholds Dad

 

 Vance Goujon - D -

 
 Walt Stodghill - Buda, Ill. -PS-
 
Former Peoria Speedway Pit Steward - Midget & Stock Car Owner 
Owner of Walt's Garage in Buda Illinois
 

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Scott Shults