Jeff Corbett III

Samuel Jefferson “Jeff” Corbett III of Peoria Heights, formerly of Washington, passed away peacefully at 12:54pm, Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Rosewood Care Center in East Peoria, IL.  

Jeff was born on January 30, 1940, in Cape Girardeau, MO to Samuel and Helen (Vandivort) Corbett Jr.  He married Lois Bonita Berry on November 12, 1963, in Hattiesburg, MS.  She preceded him in death on December 28, 2010, in Washington, IL. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Mohammad Kayyaly.
He is survived by two daughters, Elita Kayyaly of Washington, IL, and Rhonda (Dan) Bachman of Metamora, IL; two granddaughters, Laura Bachman and Olivia Al-Kayyaly; two sisters, Ann Smith of Sikeston, MO, and Linda (Joe) Crader of Oran, MO; two sisters-in-law, Gatha (Dale) Kennedy, of Gideon, MO, and Ella (Roy) Stout of Nowata, OK along with several nieces and nephews.  

Jeff graduated from Arkansas State University in 1962 with a degree in Journalism and spent the early years of his career working as a radio broadcaster for various stations in the South, even getting to broadcast with one of his heroes, Paul Harvey, when he visited a station that Jeff worked at in the 1960’s.  Jeff also enjoyed color commentating for some of the football games at the University of Southern Mississippi.  

He later began working in the insurance industry, mostly in the area of marketing, where he enjoyed visiting with various agents around the area.  He did this for over 25 years.  Always young at heart, in his post-retirement years, he enjoyed working part-time as a substitute teacher in the local high schools.

Jeff had a wonderful sense of humor and kept our family laughing and entertained at all of our get-togethers.  We all envied his great memory and the way he could rattle off dates, historical facts, sports statistics, trivia, poems, the Gettysburg Address, and all of the books of the Bible in order, etc.  Jeff was a talented baseball player in his early years and was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.  He also collected classic model cars and coins, loved old movies, music from the 50’s through the 70’s, and was an avid reader.

Jeff was baptized in the Presbyterian Church and for many years attended Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria with his family. 

Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held 2:00PM Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Glendale Cemetery in Washington, IL. Pastor Phil Bachman will officiate.  The family wishes to thank OSF Hospice for their loving care during these past months.  Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  To share a memory or condolence with his family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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