John H. Geier, 104, of East Peoria, died at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at his residence.
Born Dec. 7, 1904, in Tazewell County to Joseph and Theresa Weiling Geier, he married Eva F. Heinz Sept. 5, 1933, in Peoria. She preceded him in death Sept. 11, 2003.
Surviving is one son, John C. (Yolanda) Geier of San Antonio; two daughters, Julia (Chester) Hefner and Alice (Ray) Giacoletti, both of East Peoria; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters, the last of which died in December 2005 at the age of 103.
He was a lifelong resident of the East Peoria area and member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church.
He started working at Caterpillar in 1927, retiring in 1968.
A member of the Caterpillar Retiree’s Club, he served eight years as a member of the board of directors of the Former Caterpillar Employees’ Credit Union.
He was a shop foreman for 26 years in the parts department. He was recently recognized as the oldest living Caterpillar retiree.
Services were at St. Monica’s Catholic Church Nov. 11. The Rev. Fr. Ken Marchulones officiated. Visitation was at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria Nov. 10. Burial was in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, St. Monica’s Catholic Church or to Methodist Hospice.
His memorial Web site will be available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where condolences may be sent to the family.
East Peoria, Ill. —
