John F. Cover

TOULON - John F. Cover, age 96, died Sunday, April 14, 2024, at his home at Bickford House, Peoria, Illinois. John was born on October 31, 1927, in Kewanee, Illinois, the son of Ralph O. Cover and Bertha Leitch Cover. He married Paula M. Woods on July 18, 1948, and she died February 22, 2015, after 67 years of marriage.

Surviving are his three children, David L. (Margaret) Cover, of Peoria Heights, Illinois, Marsha L. (Olle) Mannertorp, of Cape Coral, Florida, and Nancy J. Hobson, of Warrenville, Illinois; his five grandchildren, Melissa (Eli) Selinger, of Fitchburg,

Wisconsin, Ross (Laura) Cover, of Fox Point, Wisconsin, Lesley (Jonathan) Kulbeda Twitty, of Downers Grove, Illinois, Dr. Amy (Jeremy) Hobson, of Riverside, Iowa, and Dana Hobson, of Burbank, California; his six great-grandchildren, Sadie and Margaux Selinger, David, Peter, and Charles Cover, and Madison Twitty; and a longtime neighbor and special caring friend, Larry Shipley, of Toulon, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, June (Green) May; and his sister-in-law, Harriet Crossett.

John attended Toulon schools, graduating in 1945. He attended Western Illinois State Teachers College (WIU), Hartford Insurance Training School, Hartford, Connecticut, and Bradley University Real Estate School. He joined Cover Insurance Agency with his father and owned and operated the business and was a real estate broker and appraiser for 40 years. He was a lifetime member of First Congregational Church of Toulon, member of the Toulon American Legion, 67-year member of Toulon Masonic Lodge and past master, past patron of Order of Eastern Star, a lifelong member of Toulon Lions Club, a member of the board of directors of the State Bank of Toulon for 29 years, and numerous other boards throughout his business life. John was named Badge Honoree of the Old Settlers Association in 2007. He enjoyed fishing, playing golf, and spending winters in Sun City, Arizona, with his wife for 20 years. John was always regarded as a reliable source of family histories and real estate ownership in the Stark County area.

A private family service will be held. Veronica Haskell, Certified Celebrant, will officiate. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later time.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church of Toulon or Stark County Food Pantry. Haskell Funeral and Cremation Services in Wyoming is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences for John’s family may be left on his tribute wall at www.haskellfuneral.com.