James St. Cerny III

DAHINDA - James P. St. Cerny III, 71, of Dahinda passed away at 4:03 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. He was formerly of Pekin.

Born Dec. 9, 1941, in Pekin to James P. and Erna (Roman) St. Cerny Jr., he married Chris Pratt on Aug. 3, 1969, in Galesburg. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Julie Ann Brown of Dahinda; three sons, James P. (Shelly) St. Cerny IV of Canton, Todd T. St. Cerny of Danville and Scott Andrew (Yvette) St. Cerny of North Plainfield, N.J.; nine grandchildren, Shelby Brown, Sidney Brown, Hunter St. Cerny, Ying St. Cerny, Ross St. Cerny, Scott St. Cerny, John Andrew St. Cerny, Brandi Terrel and Kolton Hamm; one brother, Doug (Terri) St. Cerny of Fort Myers, Fla.; and one sister, Gloria (Greg) Ranney of Pekin. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Todd C. St. Cerny; and one brother, Bob St. Cerny.

Jim retired from Caterpillar Inc. in April of 2000, where he worked as a fire inspector and in security at the Mapleton plant. He previously served on the Pekin Police Department and the Peoria Police Department. In earlier years, he worked peddling papers and working in a factory during his senior year of high school.

Jim was an avid fisherman, loved his family and friends and was fond of his dogs.

His celebration of life memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Private burial will be Monday in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 4722 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61614.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com.