John "Carter" Canterbury

John Carter Canterbury, 54, of Peoria, IL, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, January 3, 2025, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, with his wife by his side.
Carter was born on February 3, 1970, in Peoria, IL, to Attorney Ross Erskine Canterbury and Caroline Lewis Canterbury. He attended Washington Elementary Grade School and Richwoods High School in Peoria. Carter graduated college from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where he studied religion and was Lieutenant Master of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.
After college, Carter went on to fulfill his passion of working with animals as a veterinarian technician and worked at various clinics wherever he lived. He brought many different animals home that people had surrendered, as well as strays. His home was a place for them to live out their last days, being cared for and loved beyond measure.
Carter was an avid gamer and backpacker on the Appalachian Trail and many other locations. He had a passion for theatre, music, history, knives, reading Wikipedia for fun, teaching others all the knowledge he had, Bushcraft, multi-tools, telling "Dad" jokes, and always trying to make people's days a little brighter from laughter. Carter showed compassion to all and was a true example of how to treat others as you would want to be treated.
He truly cherished his many friendships and loved his annual trips to Colorado with his childhood friends of 45+ years. He was a new "Papa" and couldn't wait to watch her grow. Carter would give the shirt off his back to help others and is still helping others even after his death as he was an Illinois organ and tissue donor.
Carter is survived by his beloved wife, Tish Albert Canterbury; mother, Caroline Lewis Mehlenbeck; stepmother, Susan Canterbury; stepdaughter, Chloe (Tyler) Shaffer and their daughter, Ila; brother, Clay Deming (Kim) Canterbury and their children, Clay II and Cathrine; aunts, Linda Lewis and Jill (John B.) Wahfeld; and cousins: Rachel LaMonte, Christine Selzer, Jonathan Selzer, Zachary Maricondia, Christopher Wahfeld, Jeffrey Wahfeld, Sarah Hyde Kaspar, and Emily Butenhoff. He is also survived by his dog, Gunnar; rabbits, Greyson and Fluff Muffin; gecko, Allie; and new kitten, Phoenix.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ross; stepfather, William "Bill" Mehlenbeck; grandparents, Dr. John Ross and Audrey Canterbury, Willard Deming and Marion Lewis; and aunts: Constance LaMonte, Catherine Lewis, Marion Lewis, and Jan Canterbury Kaspar.
A visitation to celebrate Carter's life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to assist with his many medical bills at https://gofund.me/b5caf589.