Julie Worley

Julie E. Worley (Graham), 58, of Bartonville, passed away Monday, May 7, 2018, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after her battle with cancer.

She was born on March 7, 1960 in Peoria, the daughter of Vernel and Corrine Curless Graham. She married Rick E. Worley on February 27, 1982 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bartonville.

Surviving are her husband, one son, Graham of Austin, TX, along with five brothers: Mike, Joe (Debbie), Jeff (Vickie), Tim, and Ted (Tammy), and two sisters: Carol Graham (Terry Warner) and Lynne (Bill) Cummins. Also surviving are her father-in-law and brother-in-law as well as many other relatives and friends, including her two best friends, Beth and her cousin Heidi. Her parents and mother-in-law preceded her in death.

Julie was employed at her sister Lynne's restaurant, Cummins Family Restaurant, for 25 years.

"You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face, and show the world all the love in your heart." More than words by one of her favorite artists, Carole King, these are words Julie lived her life by. A great listener and a woman of her word, Julie's loyal and trustworthy nature impacted everyone she touched. She saw beauty in everything and her ability to light up any room with her positive and infectious approach to life made her only the more radiant.

Never one to miss a Jeopardy! episode, Julie would certainly have impressed Trebek with her voracity for politics, art, and soaking up the world around her. Vacations to Orange Beach, AL were some of her favorite family moments but watching Illinois basketball games as a threesome were always just as memorable. On most days, you could find Julie, pen in hand, working her way through the paper's crossword puzzle, and her quick wit and wide range of interests made her a nearly undefeatable opponent in Trivial Pursuit. With Julie at the helm, every holiday was full of laughter, festive decorations, and of course, wonderful food cooked with love for family and friends.

If you were to ask Julie her greatest accomplishment, she would tell you it was being remembered as a loving mother and wife to her husband, Rick and son, Graham. To sum up the woman Julie was into words would be nearly impossible but her kindness, curiosity, brilliant personality, and capacity for love have left an indelible mark on this world. By all who knew her, she will be remembered fondly, and cherished always.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A private memorial service was held Tuesday, May 8th. A time to celebrate Julie's life will be held Sunday, June 3, 2018, from 2:00pm until 5:00pm at the Bartonville American Legion where Julie was a longtime member, at 401 S. Airport Rd in Bartonville. Memorials in Julie's name may be given to the American Cancer Society or to the Bartonville American Legion. To share memories and condolences with the family, visit www.peoriafuneral.com.