John Candler

PEKIN - John Harold Candler Sr., 78, of Pekin died peacefully at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at his home, with love surrounding him, and his faithful canine companion, Sammy, at his side.

John was born on July 13, 1935, in Red Bud, Ill., the son of Earl John and Alvina (Brenning) Candler. He married Clea Rae (Hawkins) Candler on May 13, 1956, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pekin. They were married 57 days short of 57 years, when Clea passed away on March 17, 2013.

They had five children, Margaret (Ed) White of Bartonville, Laura Candler of Pekin, John (Lynn) Candler of Green Valley, Diana Johnson Schabb of Peoria and Leslie Tolbert of Pekin. They had 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He had two sisters, Viola Mosby of Cottage Hills and Mary Lou Oelzen of East Alton.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Clea; three brothers; one sister; one great-grandson; three brothers-in-law; and three sisters-in-law.

He retired from Prairie Farms Dairy in 1997, after 25 years as a machine operator on the half-pint machine. Prior to that, he had worked 25 years for Sealtest in Peoria.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Michael Honan, Nicole Johnson, Denise Tebben, Angie Hittle and countless others. You made things so much better for John and you are all wonderful people. We are greatly saddened by his death, but we know he has been reunited with our mother and they are in a better place. He will be forever missed, but always in our hearts.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Steve Higgs will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society at 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

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