Peggy Jo (Gregory) Hessling, 87, of Washington, passed away at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria after a long illness.

Peggy was born and raised in Peoria to Elbert and Blanche Gregory, she moved to Washington in 1960, where she lived the rest of her life.

She was preceded by her husband of 62 years, Charley, in 2019; and her granddaughter, Peggy Ann Meierhofer in 2006.

She is survived by her brother, Roger (Linda) Gregory and sister, Chris (Jack) Sullivan; her five children, Cathy (Ed) Mallow, Anita Hessling (Tim Hilst), Mary (Craig) Cohen, Joe

(Valerie) Hessling, and Becky Hessling. Peggy was a grandmother to eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Peggy dedicated years of volunteer service at St. Patrick Church, playing the organ each Sunday for over 40 years. She was also an avid and accomplished quilter. She co-owned the quilt shop, Peg and Lil's Needle Patch in Washington, where she taught the craft to many others.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00pm Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, with a rosary to follow at 7:00pm. Peggy's funeral Mass will

be at 10:00am Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, with additional visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Church or School or OSF Richard L.Owens Hospice Home.