Obituaries
Peoria- Roger Joseph Best, age 83, of Peoria, passed away at 11:10 AM on Friday, March 26, 2021 at Generations of Peoria with his family by his side.
Born December 21, 1937 in Peoria, a son to John Donald and M. Phyllis (Valentine) Best. Roger graduated from Brimfield High School. He married Frederica Lyons in 1964. They had four children, he later married Joyce Greene on August 27, 1976. She survives. Roger worked 23 years for the Rock Island Railroad and later worked and retired from the Peoria Journal Star. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and U of I Basketball. Roger never missed a sporting event for his children or grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his wife Joyce of Peoria; three daughters: Dawn Elizabeth (Jon) Van Gundy of Grove City, Ohio, Annette Marie (Jesse) Gutierrez of Peoria and Jennifer Lynn Best of Peoria; a proud grandfather of seven grandchildren: Ryan Gutierrez of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Zachary Gutierrez of Peoria, Alexander Gutierrez of Peoria, Jacob Best of Peoria, Jason (Hannah) Van Gundy of Middleton, Connecticut, Jeff Van Gundy of Columbus, Ohio and Joseph Van Gundy of Brooklyn, New York; and two great grandchildren: Grayson Gutierrez and Emilia Gutierrez and his four legged sidekick RJ.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, one son Gary Matthew Best in 2011 and two brothers: John Best MD and Gary Best PhD.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Father Jim Pankiewicz will officiate and burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Kickapoo.
The family would like to thank Generations of Peoria and Vitas Hospice Services for their excellent care.
Memorials in Roger’s memory may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church or Fayetteville Arkansas Animal Services, 1640 S. Armstrong Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
30
Mar
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Funeral Mass
30
Mar
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Cemetery Details
Location
1
Kickapoo, IL 61528
