Arthur L. Peacock

Mr. Arthur L. “ Art “ Peacock, 90, of Morris, Ill., passed away peacefully Saturday evening June 30, 2012, in Morris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.

Friends may call on Friday, July 6, from 1p.m. until the time of memorial services at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Steve Larson officiating at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris. Private inurnment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

He was born on Jan. 25, 1922, in Morris the only son of Alfred A. and Cora May Cloke Peacock. He received his elementary education in a rural school and graduated from Morris High School with the Class of 1939.

Art married the love of his life, Darlene D. Nolte, on March 6, 1943, in the Marseilles Baptist Church. Together with his wife, they farmed in Erienna, Nettle Creek and Mazon townships in Grundy County, Ill.

From 1947 to 1967, they owned and operated Peacock Fertilizer Service and then, together, started A.D.M. Real Estate Business in 1969 in downtown Morris. They were nationally known open-wheel race car owners from 1960 to 1967, competing on the IMCA and USAC circuits.  His best known driver was Johnny Rutherford.

Mr. Peacock loved to travel, visiting all 50 states in the union, seven Canadian provinces and 15 foreign countries. He was a history buff and was a member of the Grundy County Historical Society.

Survivors include a nephew, Robert (Earlene Angell) Nolte of LaMoille, Ill., and cousins Pattie (Dennis) Fosen of rural Seneca, Ill., Judy Youngs of Chicago, Cindy (Les) Kern of Morris, Susan (Dan) Applebee of Seneca,  Robert (Fern) Peacock of Cottonwood, Ariz., and Gerald Peacock of Peoria Heights, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, on May 3, 2006.

Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts in Art’s memory directed to Grundy County Historical Society or Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice.

Condolences can be offered online at www.ucdavisandsons.com.

U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For information, call (815) 942-0084.