Mr. John Timmes

John Timmes, 90, of Peoria, Ill., passed away Monday, July 27, 2015, at HCR Manor Care. Born Feb. 19, 1925 in Jackson, Miss. to Ophelia Rembert and Charley Timmes, he married the love of his life, Kathryn Williams, Aug. 11, 1956, in Ashland, Ky. He was educated in the Jackson, Miss. school system and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving from 1943 to 1945. He began a long career in law enforcement as a patrolman in the Peoria Police Department in December 1958. Promoted to sergeant in 1966, he worked in the juvenile and civic affairs division for the next 16 years. John and his partner and long-time friend, George Shadid, were the first integrated partners on Peoria’s police force. After retiring from the police department, he worked security at Caterpillar Inc., as head of security at the Peoria Civic Center, and at Peoria School District 150, where he worked security at Manual High School and Trewyn Middle School. He also provided security for Carver Community Center and at the Riverplex, as a Peoria Park District police officer, until his final retirement in 2005. John was named Peoria Policeman of the Year in 1970 and was inducted into the Peoria African-American Hall of Fame Museum in 2000. His many other awards include the Lifetime Service Award from the Peoria Afro-American Police League in 2006. He was an avid tennis player who won many city tournaments with his favorite partner, Dr. James Stafford. He served on the board of directors of Carver Community Center and was a member of Bradley University Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Tri-County Urban League Guild and Bethel United Methodist Church. John leaves to cherish his most precious memories his loving and devoted wife, Kathryn W. Timmes of Peoria; daughters, Johnna N. Timmes of Portland, OR and Carolyn Collins of Chicago; sisters, Doris (Walter) Nelson of Chicago and Ida B. Kelly of Jackson, MS; nephews, Charles (Valerie) Timmes of Peoria, Vanness Nelson of Chicago; nieces, Cynthia Long and Patricia Timmes both of Chicago; a great niece, Brittany (Steve) Graves and great nephew, Trenton N. Timmes both of Peoria; and a host of other family and friends who adored John. He is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Janique Timmes; one brother, Elbert Timmes; a niece, Joan Timmes and nephew Milton Timmes. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, at Bethel United Methodist Church. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at his church with visitation at 10 a.m. Pastor Gary Wilson will officiate. Burial will be at Historic Springdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made The Urban League's TSTM program, or the Bethel United Methodist Building Fund. Simons Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to simonsmortuary.com

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Mr. John Timmes

February 19, 1925 - July 27, 2015