Florence A. Wrigley, 94 of Peoria, was carried away to her Heavenly Father at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 15th, 2017, at Heddington Oaks in West Peoria.
She was born August 23rd, 1922 in Peoria County, near Glasford, the daughter of Frederick and Frieda (Koch) Krause, and was raised on their farm, along with her 8 siblings. She married Army Lt. William S. Wrigley of Astoria, New York on January 8, 1944 in Macon, Georgia. He preceded her in death on January 24th, 2003.
Florence was also preceded in death by her only child, Wendy Boatright on November 17th, 2014. Also preceding her in death are her parents; two brothers, Eugene Krause and Roger Krause; and four sisters, Lorene Girard, Elsie Sanders, Lois Krause, and Mary Heltzel.
She is survived by her only grandson, Daniel Boatright of Gulf Shores, AL; a beloved son-in-law, Jimmie Boatright of Peoria; two great grandsons, Dalton Boatright of Gulf Shores & Tristan Boatright of Illinois; two sisters, Joyce Tucker of Glasford and Shirley Allen of Marquette Heights; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Krause of Hanna City and Anita Krause of Pekin; and many nieces and nephews.
Florence graduated from Timber Township High School in Glasford in 1940, and later attended Dickinson Business College in Peoria. She was employed by A. Lucas & Sons in Peoria as a secretary, leaving in 1943, prior to her marriage. While her husband was engaged in the Pacific and later European Theaters of WWII, she domiciled in Long Island, NY with his family. Following a lengthy recovery from combat injuries, they returned to Peoria County, first residing in Glasford with their infant daughter, Wendy, before relocating to Bartonville and finally settling in Peoria. As well as being a devoted homemaker, she served as a records clerk with the Peoria Police Dept. in the 1970's.
She had been an active member of the United Methodist Church in Bartonville, assisting in many church functions. She was an accomplished seamstress, enjoyed reading, and was a very proficient amateur family genealogist, tracing her family's roots as far back as the Colonial Era. She generously donated to numerous organizations, and was quite a lover of animals.
Services will be private and interment will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria.
If desired, memorials contributions may be made in Florence's honor to the ALS Association Gift Processing Center, PO Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN 56007 or the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS), 2600 NE Perry Ave, Peoria, IL 61603.
Bless all who keep Florence and her family in their prayers.
