Lawrence McAllister

Lawrence William McAllister, 74 of Pekin, IL and formerly of Pedricktown, NJ passed away on Monday, July 12, 2010 at Washington Christian Village in Washington, IL. He had been a resident of Pekin, IL since 1983. Born April 13, 1936 in Carneys Point, NJ to Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Gant (nee Richardson) McAllister, he married Deanna Kay Groff on May 18, 1957 in Pedricktown, NJ. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Phillip Lawrence (Lisa) McAllister of Cartersville, GA and Patrick Lawrence (Sherri) McAllister of Holland PA; one daughter, Kathryn Deanne (Ronald) Henricks of Pekin, IL; five grandchildren, Parker William Wayne Henricks, Katlyn Deanne Henricks, Heather Rae McAllister, Sidney Phillip McAllister and Jennifer Ann McAllister; three sisters, Genevieve (Paul) Gant, Lois Lee (Edward) Coldren, both of Pennsville, NJ, Judith (Benjamin) Hinkle of Sea Isle City, NJ and five brothers, Richard Lewis (Jackie) McAllister of Carneys Point, Oliver Lee McAllister and his friend Betty of Wilmington, DE, Timothy Issac McAllister, Daniel Patrick (Mickie) McAllister, both of Deepwater, NJ and David John (Charlene) McAllister of Pennsville. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Norma McAllister of Elmer, NJ and Angie McAllister of Carneys Point. He also truly loved his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and three sisters. Lawrence began a career with AIRCO Industrial Gases in Pedricktown and transferred with the company to Pekin in 1983. He retired from BOC (British Oxygen Co.) in Pekin on June 30, 2001 as an operations technician with 35 years of service. He then continued on a part time basis with the company for 8 years. A member of Pekin First Church of God, Lawrence was a former active member at First United Methodist Church in Pekin and had been a member of the Hudson United Methodist Church in Pedricktown, where he formerly taught Sunday school and was a former chairman of the board of trustees. He was a longtime volunteer firefighter with the Logan Volunteer Fire Co. in Pedricktown. A devoted grandfather, he will fondly be remembered as a faithful hockey grand dad. He enjoyed working in his yard. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:30 to 12:00 Noon in Hudson United Methodist Church, 29 N. Railroad Ave., Pedricktown with services at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow in Hudson Methodist Cemetery, Pedricktown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Logan Volunteer Fire Co., 39 South Railroad Ave., Pedricktown, NJ 08067 or to the Pekin First Church of God, 2501 Maywood Ave., Pekin, IL 61554. Arrangements are under the direction of Ashcraft Funeral Homes, Penns Grove and Pennsville.

Lawrence McAllister

April 13, 1936 - July 12, 2010