Obituary East Peoria - Edward A. "Ed" Baxter, 81, of East Peoria died at 1:12 PM on Sunday April 21, 2013 at OSF St Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on April 22, 1931 in Ballard, Kentucky to Charles Evert and Nannie Elizabeth Stratton Baxter. He married Mary Evelyn Franklin on July 18, 1952 in Lawrenceburg, KY. She survives. He is survived by his four daughters; Sylvia (Gayford) Bellinger of LaRose, IL, Rose Childers of East Peoria, Brenda Romania of Momence, IL, Sandra (Eddie) Carr of Sunnyland, IL, one brother, Ken (Lucy) Baxter of Hermitage, TN, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son Doyle Randall Baxter, his parents and one brother. Ed served his country during the Korean War in the United States Army. He was stationed in Japan. During his years of service he received a Silver Star, the Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After serving in the military he went to work for Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria. He worked for thirty years as a truck driver retiring in 1980. He was a member of Pigeon Fork Baptist Church in Shelby County, KY. Ed enjoyed flying and was a licensed pilot. He was a member of Experimental Aircraft Association in Osh Kosh, WI. Ed was a past member of the Tazewell County Sherriff's Department Auxiliary, served with Tazewell County Civil Defense as a volunteer, and a member of American Legion Post 983 in East Peoria. There will be a funeral service for Ed on Saturday April 27, 2013 at 10 AM at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria. Pastor Bruce Williamson will officiate. There will be a visitation on Friday from 5-7 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria. Visitation APR 26. 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory - East Peoria 444 E. Washington Street East Peoria, IL, US, 61611 garydeiters@deitersfuneralhome.com