Arthur E. Roach Jr.

Arthur Ellsworth Roach, Jr., 86 of Peoria, formerly of East Peoria, passed away, surrounded by his family, on June 24, 2021. Arthur “Art” was born on September 10, 1934 in Kilbourne, IL, the son of Arthur Ellsworth Roach, Sr. and Beulah Grace (Musgrave) Roach and stepmother Stella Maulm Roach. He married Sue Ellen Wineinger on August 21, 1954 in Rockford, IL; she survives. Art retired from Caterpillar, East Peoria and Mapleton, after 35 years and was a member of the Masons Hilton Lodge #1143 for 61 years. Art spent 20 years helping to coordinate Little League baseball in East Peoria, starting even before his son was old enough to play. Then, he moved onto working as the Fon du Lac Park District Supervisor of Recreation, overseeing the smooth operation of 95+ recreational softball teams for the park district in the 90’s and was also an integral member of the team that opened the East Side Complex. Art was also regional director of the Amateur Softball Association while he continued to umpire outside of the park district and even coached a travel softball team at the same time. Art considered it a privilege to have provided sports opportunities for so many area youths and to have umpired games for local sports celebrities Roger Phegley, Joe Girardi, and Jim Thome during their formative amateur years. Dad was quoted as saying “I do all of this because I enjoy it and want people to have fun,” he added “Winning is nice, but it’s not everything.” Art will forever be remembered for his humor, his kindness, and his love of hunting and of his family. He was an honorable man, son, husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Lastly, Art was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and would play tricks on Cubs fans (his friends) by switching out their yard signs from Cubs to Cardinals. His grandchildren would tell you how much he loved a pork tenderloin from Gil’s, a handful of jelly bellies or maple nut goodies and a sweet, butterscotch sundae from any nearby ice cream shop. Art is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sue; his son Gary (Kari) Roach; his daughter Kelli (John) Janssen; grandchildren, Kyle (Anne) Smith, Nikki (Josh) Waite, Brittney (Tim) Krieg, Wayland (Jessica) Roach, and Grayce Roach; great grandchildren Ben Waite, Ava Waite, Walter Smith, Juliana Smith, plus soon to be Ellie Fitzgerald Krieg; and his brother Dennis “Butch” Roach. He was preceded in death by his brother, Pete Roach and his sisters, Katherine Estes, June Maxwell and Wilma Fast. Our family would like to thank Dr. Janice Takata Rossi, Dr. Reddy and the care given to Arthur at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:45 PM on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Gary Deiters Funeral Home and Cremation Services in East Peoria, followed by a Masonic Service. Burial will be at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery in Glasford, IL. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution in Art’s name to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 4722 N. Sheridan Rd. Peoria, Illinois 61614. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.

Arthur E. Roach Jr.

September 10, 1934 - June 24, 2021