Obituary EAST PEORIAa"Iona J. Townsend, 80, of East Peoria died at 3:15 AM on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at her residence. She was born on June 4, 1929 in Washington, IL to Larry and Thelma Attig Howe. She married Norman Townsend on January 7, 1954 in St. Joseph, MO; he survives. Also surviving is her daughter, Carol (Paul) Garland of Washington and daughter-in-law, Debbie Townsend of Pekin, her mother-in-law, Kathryn Purviance of East Peoria; 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Neil Townsend and sister, Betty Jackson. Iona retired from the Payroll Department with Caterpillar, Inc. She was a member of Fellowship Bible Church in Peoria. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. The Rev. Roger Bowers will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to her church. Iona's memorial website will be available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where online condolences may be made to the family.