Thomas C. “Arky” Oliver, 80, of East Peoria died at 1:42 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born on March 1, 1930, in Waldo, Ariz., to William Thomas and Minnie Harris Oliver, he married Dorothy Ann Odum, on June 11, 1960, in East Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are his son, Thomas L. Oliver and daughter, Anita (Scott) Burdette, both of East Peoria; one granddaughter; and one sister, Rosie Lee Oliver of Little Rock, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by one sister and one granddaughter.
He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a machinist and foreman with Hiram Walker & Sons in Peoria for 33 years before his retirement in 1981 when they closed the plant. After retiring, he worked as a service representative for Proctor & Gamble and delivered for the Apostolic Christian Homes Pharmacy.
A funeral service was Saturday at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. The Rev. John Plunkett officiated. Visitation was hour prior to services at the funeral home in East Peoria. Burial was in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, where military rites were accorded by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Memorials may be made to Central Illinois Riding Therapy.
His memorial website will be available online at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where condolences may also be made to the family.
