Conrad Iber

PEORIA - Conrad C. Iber, 96, a lifelong resident of the Peoria area, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2010, at Lutheran Hillside Village.

Con lived much of the time in the proximity of his brothers and their families.

He is survived by his daughter, Christine Iber Reese of Grand Rapids, Mich.; his son, Conrad Iber of Minneapolis, Minn.; by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and by nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane; a daughter, Constance Connie Hill; and by his two brothers, Howard and Robert.

Con was educated at Bradley University and the University of Illinois.

He then served four years in the United States Army during World War II, culminating in service as an officer in the U.S. military government during the occupation of Japan and organizing the repatriation of more than 40,000 Korean and Chinese mine workers back to their homeland.

Con's career was in commercial building with both construction and renovation of all types of buildings, including schools, churches, hospitals, factories and warehouses, which he and his brothers conducted through the C. Iber and Sons Company started by their father. Subsequent construction firms included the Tousley-Iber Company and later the ConIber Company, which he headed until retirement.

Con also participated in or initiated other businesses, including the founding and administration of a state bank, a builders supply business and the development of industrial properties and residential subdivisions.

Con also volunteered for his community over the years on a number of boards, committees and fund drives, the last and favorite of which was the Children's Home of Peoria.

Work was balanced with play as he and his wife, Jane, traveled extensively in Europe and Latin America, during which time he pursued one of his favorite hobbies, stereo photography.

Con was quintessential in his integrity though he was far from being overly serious, enjoying lacing his gregarious storytelling with wit.

He and Jane enjoyed their home nestled in the forested bluffs above the river and often had a covey of encouraged wildlife and domesticated fowl surrounding their home.

Memorial services will be held at Lutheran Hillside Village Waters of Life Chapel, 6901 N. Galena Road, Peoria, on Saturday, June 12, at 1:30 p.m. The visitation will start at 12 noon.

Memorial contributions should go to the Lutheran Hillside Village, 6901 N. Galena Road, Peoria, IL 61614.

Arrangements are by Richard S. Wilton through Cumerford-Hurd Funeral Home.