Randall A. Kreiling

PEORIA—Randall A. Kreiling, 64, of Monticello, Indiana, formerly of Peoria, passed away at 4:13 p.m., Monday, November 7, 2011 at IU Health White Memorial Hospital in Monticello, Indiana. Randall was born January 31, 1947 in Chicago to Tilmon and Harriette Hofer Kreiling. Surviving are three daughters; Kathryn Ruth (Ron) Rombs of Irving, Texas, Kimberly June Kreiling (Ken) Miller of Claremont, California, , Melia Kreiling of London, England; five grandchildren (Jacob, Mary, Clare, Leigh and Annie); and one brother, David Kreiling of Dallas, Texas. Randall was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tilmon Kreiling, Jr. Randall was an internationally renowned commodities trader cornering global cattle, pork bellies, sugar and metals markets before the age of 30. He lived, traded and worked in: Dallas, Texas; Geneva, Switzerland; Hydra, Greece; Hong Kong, China; Athens, Greece; Mount Jura, France; Helsinki, Finland; Majorca, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Vienna, Austria; London, England; Moscow, Russia; Chicago, Illinois; Sanibel Island, Florida; Melbourne, Florida; Africa; Monticello, Indiana. Randall invested and owned interests in the Pirate Bar in Greece; Crossair Airlines in Switzerland; Beefalo in Texas; and the Elite Modeling Agency in Chicago, Illinois. Randall was a member of Phi Gamma Delta at SMU in Dallas where he earned honors in economics graduating in three years with a B.A., then earning his J.D. at the SMU School of Law while working at the Southwestern School of Banking at SMU. Randall was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. Randall quarterbacked the Peoria Central High School football team to undefeated back to back seasons. He was a swimming and diving champion, lettered in tennis, golf and track and won the national karate championship. He was hunter, art collector, drummer and the best dancer in the history of Peoria, by far. He forged a stunning home from rock on a barren island and embodied the aesthete in the refinement of tastes that ranged from rare french cognacs to classical greek architecture to mink coats (for himself). He met Mao II's right hand obtaining exclusive agreement with the communist chinese government for chinese grain exports worldwide and rights to build a ski resort in Manchuria. He flew Ray Charles, stranded at the Geneva Airport, to his concert in Spain, playing poker with him on the Randy's plane as Ray sang 'Georgia On My Mind' acapella as a grateful thank you. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2011 at The Wilton Mortuary. Visitation will be one hour before services on Saturday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery. Randall lived life in grandeur and poverty as a believer in Jesus Christ. He is remembered as a man who really lived and loved life as if each day was his last. He infected each person he met with charm, charisma, intelligence, laughter and inspiration melded into big BIG storytelling. Texas was too small and earth a bit player in his drama. He smiled, swaggered and shrugged in the Now like the rest of us wish. His daughter Melia reminds us that Randall's life is captured paradoxically by his certainty that whether naughty or nice: ''To die will be an awfully big adventure. J.M. BARRIE, Peter Pan'' He loved and was loved from the core, and our love for him will grow each day that we live without him.