Veral E. "Butch" Boken Jr.

YATES CITY-Veral E. “Butch” Boken Jr. passed away at 1:36 pm, Sunday, August 5, 2018, at Unity Point Health-Methodist in Peoria. 

He was born on November 23, 1947 in Peoria to Veral and Georgia Lee Moreland Boken Sr. He married Beverely K. Porter on June 13, 1971 in Peoria, she survives. 

He is also survived by one daughter, LaDonna Boken-Buckley of Wataga, IL; two sons, Frank Jr. (Barb) Boken-Buckley, Carrie Young, Justin (Courtney) Lansford and Brandon (Melissa) Lansford; Three great-grandchildren Haley, Hannah, and Tenley Lansford.  Further surviving are one brother Joe Richards; three sisters Sherry (Wayne) Hicks, Mary Ann (Tom) Hughes and Linn Hight. 

One daughter Carrie Lynn Young Lansford, his parents, four brothers Robert Boken, Billie, Arthur and Adolph Richards, two sisters Linda (Boken) Walck and Debbie Richards preceded him in death. 

Butch worked construction for Local 165 Laborers Union Hall and followed in the footsteps of his father by racing stock cars for Peoria Speedway in the 1970’s. He served in the U.S. Army and enjoyed riding motorcycles. He had 37 years of sobriety in with Alcoholics Anonymous, Alano Valley.  He will be deeply missed by his family and close friends Marty Fahnestock and Mike Roth. Butch was a type of friend where a true friend walks in where the rest of the world walks out. 

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles Club, 1704 South East Lane in Peoria on September 1, 2018, from noon until 5:00 pm and a benefit ride will later be announced in his honor through Last Call Bar 4201 SW Adams St in Peoria.  To share a memory for his family, visit www.peoriafuneral.com.

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