PEKIN – Gordon Eugene "Gene" Herron, 81, of 2730 Village Ct., passed away at 2:07 a.m., Wednesday, Jun.2, 2010 at Pekin Manor.

Born May 4, 1929 in Galesburg to James Fredrick and Rose (Redshaw) Herron, he married Ila Mae Olson on July 5, 1959 in Galesburg.

Surviving are his wife; 1 son, Gordon W. (Stephanie) Herron of Findlay, Ohio; 1 daughter, Stacie (Greg) Rose of Pekin; 2 grandchildren, Madeline and Carl Herron, both of Findlay, Ohio; 2 step-grandchildren, Josh and Jarod Rose, both of Farmington,New Mexico; 1 brother, Eldon (Martha) Herron of Mt. Dora, Fla.; 3 sisters, Glenna (Dick) Hawkinson of Leawood, Kan. Carol ("Goody") Goodman of  Galesburg, and Lynda Creason of Wataga.

Gene worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 31 years, retiring as a machinist in 1986.

He served in the United States Air Force.

Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sneaking to the V.F.W. for a beer or two.

He was a Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  Rev. Ronald E. Little will officiate.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the funeral.  Cremation will be accorded following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Harbor Light Hospice, 2000 W. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 18B, Peoria, IL 61615.