PEORIA ~ Terry Owens Tosi, M.D., 71, of Peoria, a well respected Pekin Pediatrician for 42 years, passed away peacefully at 4:35 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2012 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded by his family. 

Born September 10, 1940 in Pekin to Lee E. and Velda Ella (Owens) Tosi, he married Dianne Arleen Alberter on April 9, 1965 in Clayton, MO.  She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Michelle R. Tosi of Peoria, M. Nicole (Craig Wedbush) Tosi, Andrea L. (Kristopher) Tosi-Wallace, both of St. Louis, MO, Lee F. (Julia) Tosi, M.D. of Indianapolis, IN, Natalie D. (James) Tosi-Bakule of Arlington, VA; nine grandchildren, Grace Olivia Wedbush, Caroline Nicole Wedbush, Amelia Madeline Tosi, Logan William Wallace, Braedan Lee Wallace, Nolen Tosi Wedbush, Dominic Albert Tosi, Viola Mae Bakule and Scarlett Elizabeth Wallace and one sister, Bonnie Lynn Cates of Pekin.  Dr. Tosi was looking forward to the arrival of his tenth grandchild, Angelina Joy Tosi.  He also leaves an extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Billie Lee Dickey.

A 1958 graduate of Pekin Community High School, Dr. Tosi earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Loyola University in Chicago and graduated from the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago in 1965.  He completed his residency program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO.  He was a board certified pediatric physician serving as an active member of the Pekin Hospital Medical Staff Since 1970 and in practice at the Pekin Pediatric Center.  He last saw patients in his office on March 27th.  Dr. Tosi served early in his career as a pediatrician in the United States Navy at the Naval Air Station at Albany, GA from 1968-1970.  He enjoyed mentoring residents on their clinical rotations. His family was of the utmost importance to him and professionally his passion was caring for children.

While Dr. Tosi was well known throughout the community for his compassion and skill as a Pediatrician, he was also an extremely astute businessman and brought wise counsel as a board member of Herget Bank, N.A. in Pekin.  He was first elected to Herget’s Board of Directors in February of 1976 and served as Chairman of the Board from February 2000 until June 2011.

In his free time, Dr. Tosi enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, trap shooting and golfing.  He also had a love of cars, sports and Italian food.

He was a member of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2012.  Father Christopher A. Layden will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, with the recitation of the Rosary at 3:30 p.m.  Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pekin Hospital Foundation to benefit Pediatrics, 600 South 13th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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

Siempre Familia.