Mr. Obadiah "Obie" LaVelle Nance

PEORIA - Obadiah "Obie" LaVelle Nance, 81, formerly of 4102 N. New York, Peoria, Ill., passed away at 4:55 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2006, at ManorCare Health Services in Peoria. Mr. Nance was born Sept. 27, 1924, in Elkville, Ill., to Emmett Lee and Christina (Stratton) Nance. He married Flora B. Johnson in Decatur, Ill., on Dec. 18, 1948. She preceded him in death in 1976. He later married Pauline Rudd in Peoria on Jan. 14, 1978. She preceded him in death in 1994. Mr. Nance is survived by three sons, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Gregory L. (Diana) Nance of Beavercreek, Ohio, Jeffery L. Nance of Peoria and Michael L. (Audrey) Nance of Elgin; three daughters, Beverly L. Nance, Diane "Linda" (Dale) Jackson and Darlene L. Sykes, all of Peoria; one stepson, Thurman "Butch" (Tyesia) Tate of Peoria; and two brothers, Gilbert and Thurman Nance, both of Indianapolis, Ind. He is also survived by several grandchildren, one of whom he helped raise, Amira Nance-Evans; great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four sisters and two brothers. Mr. Nance graduated from Elkville Community High School and attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, majoring in mathematics. He was a World War II U.S. Army Veteran, earning the Good Conduct, WWII Victory and the American Campaign medals while serving. Mr. Nance was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Peoria for over 15 years. He accepted a position as a loan consultant with First Federal Savings and Loan in the mid-'60s, later becoming assistant vice president and branch manager for the Sheridan Village branch office. He retired from Talman Home Savings (formerly First Federal Savings and Loan) in 1987. During his retirement years, he held a part-time position with Simons Mortuary until early 2004. Mr. Nance was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where among other things his service included the Deacon Board and the Men's Chorus. He was a former member and officer of Ward Chapel A.M.E Church. He was a past treasurer for the Peoria Branch of the NAACP. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at Mt. Zion M.B. Church. Visitations will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening, Feb. 3, 2006, and Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m., both at his church. Pastor Alphonso Lyons Jr. will officiate. Interment will be held at Springdale Cemetery. Simons Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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Mr. Obadiah "Obie" LaVelle Nance

September 27, 1924 - January 30, 2006