Byron Daniel Oesch 6/8/1953 - 2/15/2009

Byron Daniel “Dan” Oesch, 55, of 1427 North 8th Street, passed away at 9:36 a.m. February 15, 2009 in Pekin.

Born June 8, 1953 in Peoria to Byron J. and Mary Ann (Venovich) Oesch, he married Marilyn Loraine Scott on October 16, 1993 in Peoria. She survives. Also surviving are his parents of Pekin; two brothers, Stephen Oesch of Bartonville and Jeffrey (Marj) Oesch of Pekin; one niece, Marissa Oesch of Pekin; and one nephew, Myles Oesch of Pekin. His grandparents preceded him in death.

Dan was a 1971 graduate of Pekin Community High School and later Illinois Central College in East Peoria, receiving two Associates degrees. He then graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb.

He was in the Illinois Air National Guard for 21 years, retiring as a Major. He also was a veteran of Desert Storm, activated and serving in the United States Air Force.

Dan owned and operated B & D Sales Advertising Specialties in Pekin for 37 years. He also taught business math classes at Illinois Central College in East Peoria for several years.

He was a member and senior warden of Hilton Lodge #1143, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Abbas Grotto, both in East Peoria; Mohammed Shrine of Peoria, where he was past director of the director staff; Peoria York Rite Bodies, serving as scribe in Peoria Chapter #7 and captain of the guard in Peoria Council #11; El Hajj Caravanserai No 6 in Peoria Heights and Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria, where he was past Sovereign Prince. He also was a member of the Paul Towne Memorial AMVETS Post #169 in North Pekin. He was of the Methodist faith.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2009 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the funeral home, where Masonic rites will be held at 7:30 p.m. Additional visitation will be one hour before the funeral on Friday. Burial will be in War Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707.