From the president
Friends,
I am sorry to report that Diana Peckham, former IJEA president and Hall of Fame member, passed away in the hospital Wednesday in Morton, Ill. The Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home in Morton, IL is in charge of her funeral. The funeral home is located at 140 S. Detroit Ave, Morton, IL. The phone number there is (309) 263-7426 for any verifications or information needed and its e-mail address is [email protected]
The visitation is scheduled at the Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 in Morton. Her funeral services are at 10 a.m. at the Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 27, 2010.
The following information is listed on the Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home website for Diana:
Name: Diana J. Peckham
Birth Date & Death Date: Oct. 24, 1950 – Sept. 22, 2010
Morton – Diana J. Peckham, 59, of Morton, died at 1:17 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born Oct. 24, 1950, in Springfield to Edward and Doris Jane (Cline) Maurer. She married Richard Peckham in 1988 in Peoria. He preceded her in death in 1996. She also was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are her brothers-in-law, Tom (Amy) Peckham of McHenry, Ill., and Harley (Dr. Nancy Hayes) Peckham of Mountain Grove, Mo.; many nieces and nephews; and several cousins, including Mary Jo Howells of Peoria. Diana graduated in August 1972 with a BS in Education from Illinois State University in Normal and received her MA in Journalism in December 1979 from the University of Missouri. She taught English and Journalism at Morton High School for 11 years. During that time, she advised the school newspaper for 11 years and the school yearbook for eight years, receiving numerous state and national awards. In 1982, she was named Illinois Yearbook Adviser of the Year by Eastern Illinois University. She was a frequent speaker and judge both for state and national competitions. She was hired at Pekin Community High School in August 1983 as an English and Journalism teacher, adviser to the school newspaper and yearbook, and sponsor for Quill & Scroll, which is an honor society for high school journalists. She advised the Pekinois (newspaper) for 15 years and was adviser for the Pekinian (yearbook) for 21 years. Diana was a member of the state board and one of the founders of the Illinois Journalism Education Advisers Association which along with the Illinois Press Association honored Diana for her many years of dedication to the field of journalism. She attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton. Cremation will be accorded following services.
Memorials: American Cancer Society, West Central Regional Office, 4234 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL 61614
Visitations: 4:00PM to 7:00PM on Sunday, September 26th, 2010 at Knapp – Johnson Funeral Home
Services: 10:00AM at Knapp – Johnson Funeral Home on Monday, September 27th, 2010