Obituaries
Obituary for Jesse C. Flores, Sr.
Peoria-Jesse Charles Flores Senior, age 85, passed away at 10:30 P.M, March 17, 2017 at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, IL surrounded by family.
Born April 30, 1931 in Joliet, IL to Jose Flores and Carmen Rodriguez-Flores. He married Mary Martha Lee on May 27, 1950 in Peoria, IL. He is now proceeded in death by the love of his life.
Surviving are his five sons, Jesse Flores Jr. (Janell), Michael (Beth) Flores, Tony (Karah) Flores, Victor (Lori) Flores and Martin Flores, all of Peoria; two daughters, Linda Flores Waldron of Peoria and Rebecca (Tom) Frakes of East Peoria; fourteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Julie Devine of Peoria; one son-in-law, Rick Waldron; and several nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his mother Carmen and father Jose, his wife Mary Flores, sister Carmen Flores, four brother-in-laws, a sister-in-law, daughter-in-law Jennifer Davidson-Flores, and one granddaughter, Renee Flores.
Jesse proudly served in combat with the U.S Army in 1952 during the Korean War, later he was part of the 371st Army Band, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He received two Bronze Service Stars, one United Nations medal, one National Defense Medal, one Korean Service Medal, and one Good Conduct Medal.
With the love of his family in mind, he went on to create new businesses in the Peoria/Pekin area. He thoroughly enjoyed music and teaching, which led to the opening of the Pekin Academy of Music in 1957 in Pekin, IL. In the 60’s, he sponsored weekend dances in the hall of the Pekin store. Soon after, he changed the name to Flores Music. He opened his second music store location in Peoria Heights, IL. Jesse formed the Jesse Flores Band, and was the house band at the Jerry Lewis Telethons. They also played at numerous special events throughout Central Illinois. He donated generously to numerous charities in Mexico and was very committed to his Catholic faith. Jesse loved to teach his music students, go on family vacations, weekly family gatherings, and Saturday mass. His students were a large part of his life, and he continued teaching up until his death.
Visitation will be held Friday March 24, 2017 from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at St. Thomas Church. Funeral services will be Saturday March 25, 2017 at St. Thomas Church at 10:30 A.M. with an hour prior visitation. Father Anthony Trosley will officiate and burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
In his memory, donations can be sent online to Santa Maria del Mexicano at www.santamariadelmexicano.org/donate, a Catholic Institution serving the youth and elderly of Mexico with education, founded by Father Clifford Anthony Norman, a dear friend of Jesse. Donations can also be sent online in his name to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation at www.mhopus.org/donate/, a foundation that keeps music alive in our schools by providing durable, high-quality musical instruments to deserving, under-funded music programs nationwide.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
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Born April 30, 1931 in Joliet, IL to Jose Flores and Carmen Rodriguez-Flores. He married Mary Martha Lee on May 27, 1950 in Peoria, IL. He is now proceeded in death by the love of his life.
Surviving are his five sons, Jesse Flores Jr. (Janell), Michael (Beth) Flores, Tony (Karah) Flores, Victor (Lori) Flores and Martin Flores, all of Peoria; two daughters, Linda Flores Waldron of Peoria and Rebecca (Tom) Frakes of East Peoria; fourteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Julie Devine of Peoria; one son-in-law, Rick Waldron; and several nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his mother Carmen and father Jose, his wife Mary Flores, sister Carmen Flores, four brother-in-laws, a sister-in-law, daughter-in-law Jennifer Davidson-Flores, and one granddaughter, Renee Flores.
Jesse proudly served in combat with the U.S Army in 1952 during the Korean War, later he was part of the 371st Army Band, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He received two Bronze Service Stars, one United Nations medal, one National Defense Medal, one Korean Service Medal, and one Good Conduct Medal.
With the love of his family in mind, he went on to create new businesses in the Peoria/Pekin area. He thoroughly enjoyed music and teaching, which led to the opening of the Pekin Academy of Music in 1957 in Pekin, IL. In the 60’s, he sponsored weekend dances in the hall of the Pekin store. Soon after, he changed the name to Flores Music. He opened his second music store location in Peoria Heights, IL. Jesse formed the Jesse Flores Band, and was the house band at the Jerry Lewis Telethons. They also played at numerous special events throughout Central Illinois. He donated generously to numerous charities in Mexico and was very committed to his Catholic faith. Jesse loved to teach his music students, go on family vacations, weekly family gatherings, and Saturday mass. His students were a large part of his life, and he continued teaching up until his death.
Visitation will be held Friday March 24, 2017 from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at St. Thomas Church. Funeral services will be Saturday March 25, 2017 at St. Thomas Church at 10:30 A.M. with an hour prior visitation. Father Anthony Trosley will officiate and burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
In his memory, donations can be sent online to Santa Maria del Mexicano at www.santamariadelmexicano.org/donate, a Catholic Institution serving the youth and elderly of Mexico with education, founded by Father Clifford Anthony Norman, a dear friend of Jesse. Donations can also be sent online in his name to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation at www.mhopus.org/donate/, a foundation that keeps music alive in our schools by providing durable, high-quality musical instruments to deserving, under-funded music programs nationwide.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
24
Mar
4:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Visitation
Saturday
25
Mar
9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Funeral Mass
Saturday
25
Mar
10:30 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Cemetery Details
Location
Resurrection Cemetery & Mausoleum
7519 N Allen Rd
Peoria, IL 61614
Memorial Contribution
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