The community said farewell to Harold “Pete” Vonachen Friday. Peoria Public Radio’s Tanya Koonce reports:
The sanctuary in Saint Thomas Cathedral in Peoria Heights was full. The crowd settled in with a couple of songs including John Fogerty’sCenterfield... a fitting way to remember the man often called Peoria’s Mr Baseball.
Vonachen who owned the Peoria Chiefs for about 30 years, had one daughter, four sons and 11 grandchildren with his late wife Donna. The grandchildren offered readings and prayers.
Rocky who now runs the ball park, did his father’s Eulogy. It could best be described as a remembrance anyone would be proud to have. It included touching and humorous stories about his dad, and centered on what what Vonachen called the three F’s: Faith, Family and Friends. Father Thomas Taylor says Pete Vonachen was rich in all three. He remembered him as a man with endless one liners, abiding faith and unfailing civic support.
Pete Vonachen was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery and Mausoleum in Peoria.