Published in the Peoria Journal Star on 5/6/2006. EAST PEORIA - Wilbur Eugene Summers, 82, of East Peoria, formerly of Winchester Ill., passed away at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2006, at his home. He was born April 21, 1924, in Woodson, Ill., to Howard A. and Osie Marie Mellor Summers. He married Mildred Louise Walker on June 29, 1944, his loving wife of 61 years. She survives. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Francis and James. He is survived by three children, Frederick (Karen) Summers of Hot Springs, Ark., Sharon Gualandi of Peoria and Debbie (Rick) Snow of East Peoria; five grandchildren, Annette Rees, whom he helped raise, Larry (Sherry) Gualandi, Chris Gualandi, Michael Summers and Sara (Nick) Smith; and four great-grandchildren, Kayla and Jennifer Gualandi and Kaitlin and Camden Belfield. He is survived by brothers George (Dorothy) of Milton, Ill. and Daryll (Emma) of Jacksonville, Ill.

He was an active member for the past 50 years at South Side Baptist Church in Peoria and Fountain Lake Baptist Church in Hot Springs Ark.

Wilbur farmed with his father in Winchester, Ill., where he founded and was president of the Scott County Saddle Club until moving to the Peoria area in 1965. Wilbur worked for Caterpillar Inc. from 1965 to his retirement in 1982, serving as union steward for Local 974 for several years.

Wilbur will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandpa. He loved to travel to their vacation home in Hot Springs, Ark., spend time with family and be outdoors. Wilbur loved his dogs, Chloe and Phoebe, as well as his granddogs, Little Bit, Spunky and Bailey.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 8, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Winchester Cemetery in Winchester, Ill. The Rev. Tom Miller will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, at Deiters Funeral Home at 444 E. Washington St. in East Peoria.

Memorials may be made to the Tazewell County Humane Society, Foster Pet Outreach or OSF St. Home.