Obituaries
1
tree
planted in memory of Arnold E. "Jim" Barkley
Obituary for Arnold E. "Jim" Barkley
Arnold E. “Jim” Barkley, age 94, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Grandview Alzheimer’s Special Care in Peoria, IL.
Jim was born on September 30, 1927 in Wyanet, IL, a son of John Calvin and Pearl (Johnson) Barkley. He married Mary Catherine “Mary Kay” Bell on November 24, 1956 at St. John’s Church in Bradford, IL. They were married for 65 years. She preceded him in death on June 27, 2021 in Peoria.
Surviving are two sons, Brian J. (Rebecca) Barkley and Bradley J. (Valerie) Barkley, both of Peoria, six grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan) Tamburro, Patrick (Amanda), Jennifer, Matthew, Lucas and Benjamin Barkley, two great-grandchildren, Lily and Chloe Tamburro and one brother, Bernard Barkley of Washington, IL, as well as sister-in-law, Carolyn Barkley of Wyanet, IL.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Donald, John and Gerald and two sisters, Thershea Warren and Judith Young.
Jim graduated from Wyanet High school then proudly served in the US Navy. After the Navy, Jim’s first job was on a river barge primarily on the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio Rivers. He then worked at Joyce (7-Up) as a driver and salesman in Peoria. He founded Peoria Crystal Ice Co., later Party Time Ice in 1964. He was president and owner for 36 years, retiring in 2000.
Jim and Mary Kay were proud long time members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Jim was involved in Cursillo, St. Jude Runs and the South Side Mission. He also enjoyed coaching the Paul Reatherford Biddy Basketball team and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and University of Notre Dame football fan.
Jim considered himself to have fully lived the American Dream. His greatest joys included his grandchildren and great grandchildren, special Christmas Eves with his family and traveling with the family on trips to Italy and Canada. Jim and Mary Kay loved to winter in Long Boat Key, FL. You could find Jim delivering ice on his mule at the Heart of Illinois Fair in the summer, playing poker or having his morning coffee and donuts at Lesters, where he had his own key.
Jim cherished his relationship with the Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist.
The family would like to thank the Grandview Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit Staff and Transitions Hospice for their excellent care for Jim and Mary Kay.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Church in Peoria Heights on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:45 AM also at the church. Msgr. Jason Gray will officiate. Burial will follow at 1:30 PM at St. John Cemetery in Bradford, IL.
Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Parish or Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist, 1209 E Lake Ave, Peoria Heights, IL 61616.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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Jim was born on September 30, 1927 in Wyanet, IL, a son of John Calvin and Pearl (Johnson) Barkley. He married Mary Catherine “Mary Kay” Bell on November 24, 1956 at St. John’s Church in Bradford, IL. They were married for 65 years. She preceded him in death on June 27, 2021 in Peoria.
Surviving are two sons, Brian J. (Rebecca) Barkley and Bradley J. (Valerie) Barkley, both of Peoria, six grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan) Tamburro, Patrick (Amanda), Jennifer, Matthew, Lucas and Benjamin Barkley, two great-grandchildren, Lily and Chloe Tamburro and one brother, Bernard Barkley of Washington, IL, as well as sister-in-law, Carolyn Barkley of Wyanet, IL.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Donald, John and Gerald and two sisters, Thershea Warren and Judith Young.
Jim graduated from Wyanet High school then proudly served in the US Navy. After the Navy, Jim’s first job was on a river barge primarily on the Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio Rivers. He then worked at Joyce (7-Up) as a driver and salesman in Peoria. He founded Peoria Crystal Ice Co., later Party Time Ice in 1964. He was president and owner for 36 years, retiring in 2000.
Jim and Mary Kay were proud long time members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Jim was involved in Cursillo, St. Jude Runs and the South Side Mission. He also enjoyed coaching the Paul Reatherford Biddy Basketball team and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and University of Notre Dame football fan.
Jim considered himself to have fully lived the American Dream. His greatest joys included his grandchildren and great grandchildren, special Christmas Eves with his family and traveling with the family on trips to Italy and Canada. Jim and Mary Kay loved to winter in Long Boat Key, FL. You could find Jim delivering ice on his mule at the Heart of Illinois Fair in the summer, playing poker or having his morning coffee and donuts at Lesters, where he had his own key.
Jim cherished his relationship with the Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist.
The family would like to thank the Grandview Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit Staff and Transitions Hospice for their excellent care for Jim and Mary Kay.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Church in Peoria Heights on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:45 AM also at the church. Msgr. Jason Gray will officiate. Burial will follow at 1:30 PM at St. John Cemetery in Bradford, IL.
Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Parish or Franciscan Sisters of John the Baptist, 1209 E Lake Ave, Peoria Heights, IL 61616.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
27
May
9:30 AM
- 10:45 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Funeral Mass
Friday
27
May
11:00 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
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