Beverly "Bev" Vilberg

Beverly "Bev" Vilberg, 90, of Peoria, IL went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
Bev was born on May 3, 1933, in Hammond, Indiana, to William "Bill" and Mina (Brown) Phillips. She was the second child born of European parents (Welsh and Scottish) who came to America to pursue a better life. She married, John "Jack" Vilberg in Gary, IN, where they both grew up. They moved to Peoria in 1956, where they raised their four children.
Surviving are her three daughters: Pamela Orear (Doug), Patricia Wood, and Peggy Jo Vilberg (David Smith); her precious grandchildren: Quinlan & Cagnian Orear, Logan & Crimson Wood, and Christian & Addison Smith; and numerous dear nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Jack, her cherished son, Glenn R. Vilberg, her brother Ronald Phillips, and her son-in-law Frank Wood.
Growing up in Gary, Bev attended Ambridge Grade School and Horace Mann High School, where she participated in the school musicals, choir, and was the pitcher for the girls' softball team. In high school she was also Senior Class Vice-President, Head Cheerleader, and Senior School Queen (Homecoming and Prom). She was a member of the Gary First Presbyterian Church, and was always a choir member, as well as a Sunday school teacher for more than 10 years. She reached cadette level in the Girl Scouts, and then mentored many young girls (including her daughters) as a longtime Girl Scout leader in the organization. She worked several jobs in high school, including secretary to the Assistant Manager of Empire Insurance Company. After high school, she got her degree from Brown Business College, where she became proficient in shorthand and stenography. Bev worked for the credit manager of Anderson Windshield Wiper Company (ANCO) and the manager of the Hotel Gary, both as a secretary and stenographer. After marrying and moving to Peoria with Jack, she took classes at Illinois Central College and Bradley University working towards a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences Degree. She switched gears just shy of her degree when they bought Manpower Temporary Services, where she worked as the office manager. As her children became more active, she filled in for office staff whenever needed. Then, as an empty nester, she began a new career as a realtor with Commercial National Realty (CNR).
On arriving in Peoria, Bev and Jack immediately became active members of the First United Methodist Church of Peoria. They joined the Sanctuary Choir where they sang for decades. They had the pleasure to be Jr. High counselors, and lead Sunday school classes for many years. They both attended Cursillo, and Bev, later brought many to Christ by becoming a team leader in several Cursillo and Walk to Emmaus weekends. This led Bev to become very active in the prison ministry, visiting local prisons to bring both men and women prisoners to Christ.
Bev was thrilled to start her Peoria community endeavors participating in Peoria Player's "Damn Yankees" in 1959. But, being an avid volunteer for many Peoria organizations kept Bev the busiest. At church, she helped with events, including Christmas Tree Lane fundraisers, and countless other special programs. Bev was a founding member of Concerned Citizens for Criminal Justice with other local leaders; a member of the American Heart Association Tri-County Division Board, heading up many fundraisers; on the YWCA Advisory Council at Lakeview; volunteered for many years for the American Red Crosss until they moved out of Peoria; helped Jack with the Salvation Army tree lighting events; and also devoted countless hours as a member of the South Side Mission Ladies Auxiliary, helping the disadvantaged by participating in letter writing campaigns, fundraiser luncheons and special events. In more recent years, Bev enjoyed bringing flowers and visiting with homebound church members to honor their 80+ birthdays.
Bev was a devoted mother. She served on many school committees, including President of Hines Grade School Mother's Club, cheerleading coach, and as a room mother for several years. She and Jack made sure to never miss an event their children participated in throughout their lives. This included sporting events, band, choir and music concerts, award programs, and theater events, of which there were many! She later supported her grandchildren in this same way.
Bev did manage to find time to relax as she and Jack enjoyed hosting countless get-togethers at Lake Wildwood. United Methodist Women, Triple M Club, bridge clubs, book clubs, Badminton Club, Fun Club, and Red Hat Society were just a few of her social groups. Bev was an avid basketball fan, and went to every Bradley University home game as she was able, since 2014. At Lutheran Hillside Village she also enjoyed playing card bingo, participating in the sing-a-longs and happy hour, and movies at the in-house theater.
Those who knew Bev, knew she was always willing to lend a helping hand, doing what she could, even in her later years. She was known for her caring and sweet personality, as well as her beautiful smile. She loved her family and she loved the Lord, and was an avid reader of the Bible and Biblical literature. She is now with our Lord, and joyously reunited with her loved ones in heaven.
The family would like to sincerely thank Lutheran Hillside Village for taking such good care of Bev in her later years.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, 116 NE Perry Ave., Peoria, IL 61603 at 3:00 pm with a visitation one hour prior to services. Private burial will be at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens in Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Side Mission, 1127 S. Laramie St, Peoria, IL 61605, First United Methodist Church or the local Salvation Army chapter, 401 NE Adams St., Peoria, IL 61603.
Friends and family may view full obituary and sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com