Charles Franklin Cummings, 95, died February 28, 2010 at his home in Vero Beach, Florida.
He was born on January 9, 1915, the son of Charles Parker and Glena Baujon Cummings. He spent his childhood in Pittsfield, Illinois before moving to Oak Park, Illinois as a teenager, finally settling in Peoria, Illinois in 1935. He married Dorothy Cummings in 1937. She preceded him in death in December of 1972. They are survived by two daughters, Linda (Ron) Cummings Ferguson of Peoria and Naples, FL and Georgia Cummings Daly of Brandon, FL.
In 1977, he married Merrilee Oberle Valentine, she survives. Also surviving is one stepdaughter, Valencia (Peter) Valentine Hamman and six grandchildren, Jay Galland, Julie (Todd) Rathje, Charlie (Darlene) Galland, Sean (Andrea) Daly, Chris (Ann-Marie) Daly, and Ryan Daly. Other survivors include his two step-grandchildren, Isabella and Jackson Hamman, as well as nine great-grandchildren.
One brother Milner predeceased him and a sister, Virginia Cummings Doubet survives in Peoria, Illinois.
Mr. Cummings was President and owner of Peoria Tractor and Equipment Company, a Caterpillar dealership in Peoria, Illinois and he was very active in the business community of Peoria. He served as a Director of the First National Bank of Peoria, Thompson Advertising Company, a member of the Peoria Rotary Club, President of Pekin La Marsh Drainage District and was a Director of the Country Club of Peoria, later serving as President of the Country Club of Peoria.
Mr. Cummings retired from Peoria Tractor and Equipment in 1973 to spend his winters in Vero Beach and summers at his Fairview, IL, farm. In 1995, he moved permanently to Vero Beach. He was a member of Johns Island Club and Vero Beach Country Club.
Mr. Cummings was an avid hunter and fisherman, traveling to all parts of the world to pursue his interests.
Local services will be held on Friday, March 5, 2010, at 10:00 AM at Christ by the Sea Methodist Church on A-1-A in Vero Beach, with interment at the Church.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Chaddock Childrens Foundation, 205 South 24th Street, Quincy, IL 62301 or to the American Cancer Society, 3375 20th Street, Suite 100, Vero Beach, FL, 32960, in lieu of flowers.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Peoria, Illinois.