Richard "Dick" Dodson

Richard W. “Dick” Dodson, 91, peacefully passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Snyder Village in Metamora. He was born on May 9, 1935, at his grandparent’s farm home in Lincoln, to Claude and Norma (Hoffert) Dodson. On March 16, 2005, he married his long-time friend, Marjorie “Marj” Lunn in Green Valley, AZ; she survives. Also surviving are his children, Taffy (Chris) Cates and Terry (Keri) Dodson, both of East Peoria; his stepson, Troy (Tracey) Teegarden of Hemphill, TX; six grandsons, David Haskins II of East Peoria, William (Dee) LeBaube of Morton, Marshall (Ashlynn) LeBaube of Groveland, Noah Dodson of Evansville, IN, Peter Dodson of Pekin, and Caleb Dodson of Washington; four great grandchildren, Clair, Emma, and Odin LeBaube and Elliot Dodson; a step grandson, Garret (Bailey) Teegarden; step granddaughter, Jodi (Brody) Young; and 5 step great-grandchildren, Henley, Harper and Julia Teegarden, Dylan Armentrout, and Trent Young, all of Texas; one sister, Judy (John) Lyons of Petersburg; one sister-in-law, Nancy (Richard) Raguet of Peoria; nephews, Tim, Todd and Ted Tucker and niece, Teresa Adams, along with a host of cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his very special Aunt Wilma Thompson of Mason City, who was only 4 years older than him and lived to be 90 years old. Active in many sports, Dick graduated from East Peoria High School in 1954. During his senior year, he enlisted in the Air National Guard, serving two enlistments in the 169th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Firefighting/Crash Rescue Section. In 1961, he graduated from Caterpillar’s 4-year Apprentice Training Program. He changed vocations in 1962, becoming a field representative for Metropolitan Life. After 22 years, he moved on to TransAmerica Life, then became the Regional Account Manager for S.V.I. Systems. In 1992, he took an appointment as Executive Director for the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce, retiring in 2000. Along the way, Dick was an active member of the East Peoria Community and was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for over 75 years. In 1965, he was selected as the East Peoria Jaycees “Young Man of the Year,” receiving the Distinguished Service Award. He coached little league, pony league, biddy basketball and was director of the Fonduland YMCA Flag Football Program. In 1969, he coached JFL and served on the JFL League Board of Directors for 4 years. In 1972, East Peoria’s 2 teams went 7-1 and 9-0. In addition to coaching, Dick was elected to the East Peoria Elementary Board of Education for one term, was elected Groveland Township Assessor for 3 terms, and was appointed by the East Peoria City Council to explore the possibility of bringing cable TV to East Peoria in 1974, subsequently serving as the East Peoria Cable Corporation President for 14 years. In 1979, Dick was elected to the East Peoria City Council, serving as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance and as Mayor pro tem until 1983. In 1985, he co-chaired the first Festival of Lights Parade. In 1987, Dick was elected Mayor of the City of East Peoria, serving until 1991. During his administration, focus continued on city and riverfront redevelopment, creation of the FOLEPI Foundation and the Riverfront Commission, development of the EastPort Marina Complex, and securing the agreement to bring John Bearce Automall (Uftring Automall) to East Peoria as the city’s first car dealership. During his tenure, East Peoria’s application for a Riverboat Gaming License was selected in a very competitive process, which led to the Paradice Riverboat Operation, bringing in millions annually for East Peoria. The Journal Star called it “The Cross-River Coup of the Century.” In 1990, after serving on several boards and commissions in East Peoria, Dick traveled to Moscow with five other East Peorians to take part in the Russian-American Festival, where he served as a judge in the Russian-American Beauty Pageant, a 4 hour nationally televised event. In 2000, East Peoria honored him for his decades of service to the community as the “Citizen of the Year.” In addition to serving the East Peoria community, Dick thoroughly enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their sporting events and other activities, rarely missing a game or event. In his free time, he enjoyed many sports over the years, including softball, golf, tennis, racquetball, some skiing and bowling, plus 16 years of competition in the Heart of Illinois Senior Olympics. He played in area softball leagues into his mid-fifties, twice medaled in the East Peoria City Golf Tournament, played in Champion Flight into his 80’s with the Fondulac Senior League and had 9 holes-in-one throughout the years. He loved to travel and managed to visit 46 states and many beaches. He was a Cubs and Bears fan to the extreme, and often, life’s schedules needed to adapt to game times. Dick lived a life blessed beyond measure and will be dearly missed. He made a lasting impact on those he met and on the community he loved. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memories will be shared from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Quail Meadows Banquet Center. Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation Services in East Peoria is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in East Peoria or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.

Richard "Dick" Dodson

May 9, 1935 - July 23, 2026