Archie Gainey

PEORIA - Archie F. Gainey, 89, of Peoria passed away at 8:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Lutheran Hillside Village.

He was born Oct. 14, 1921, in Cairo, Ga., to W. Carl and Lillie Sanders Gainey. Archie married Shirley Allen on Feb. 14, 1946, in Glenview, Illinois. She preceded him in death on April 4, 2007, in Peoria.

Archie served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1946, having achieved the rank of Yeoman 2nd Class.

After his service, Archie worked for the Erie Lackawana Railroad as regional sales manager.

Archie served on the board of directors for the Chicago Transportation Club, and was an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria. He also was a member of both the Gideons and Masons.

He is survived by two grandsons, Stephen (Amy) Jaeger of Champaign and Gregory (Jenny) Jaeger of Peoria; two sons-in-law, Philip Jaeger of Peoria and Thomas Bacon of Chicago; as well as three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Thomas and Isabella, and a great-grandson due in February 2011.

Archie was preceded in death by two daughters, Donna Gainey Jaeger and Barbara Gainey Bacon; a sister, Laleah Gainey Hall; and a brother-in-law, Anderson "Andy" Hall.

Services will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Grace Presbyterian Church, with visitation starting two hours prior. The Rev. Dr. Ben Johnston will officiate. Interment will be in Ridgewood Memorial Park in Des Plaines on Tuesday morning.

Memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be given to the family at www.thewiltonmortuary.com.