Fred J. Athey's Obituary
Decatur-Fred J. Athey, 80, of Decatur, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2014 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Fred was born May 29, 1933 in Shelbyville, Illinois the son of Fred and Helen (Kline) Athey. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked at ADM retiring after thirty-eight years of service where he was president of the Industrial Repair Group. He also owned and operated Freddie’s Dairy Freeze in Moweaqua. He was a talented musician and band leader of Fred Athey and his Orchestra. Fred enjoyed gardening, the stock market, and reading.
He married Carol Peterson October 20, 1957.
Fred leaves behind Carol his wife of over fifty-six years, children Jodi (Kenneth) Allen of Moweaqua, Jennifer (Jeffrey) Parks of Moweaqua, Jon (Tricia) Athey of Decatur, Joe Athey of Decatur, and Jeffrey (Tina) Athey of New Port Richey, Florida, grandchildren Kevin and Abby Allen, Colleen and Hayden Athey, Michael Montague, Miles and Maggie Neilson, Zara and Zaden Athey, step-grandchildren Trevor and Tim Parks, and Tony Deluca, great-granddaughter Remi Thompson, and sister Audrey Pirtle of Cisco.
Fred was reunited in Heaven with his parents and sister Charlotte Crum.
Services to celebrate Fred’s life will be 10 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Mary Queen of Angels Garden Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family of Fred Athey is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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