Peck, Vivian Rosetta “Babe”

peck, vivian789Vivian Rosetta “Babe” Peck, 91, of Galesburg, died at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 01, 2015 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

Vivian was born February 3, 1924 in Ipava the daughter of Guy Ramond and Ollie Eileen (Sensabaugh) Hills.  She married Clifford J. Peck on November 26, 1949 in St. Augustine.  He preceded her in death on February 19, 1981.  Vivian is survived by one son, Lawrence “Larry” (Martha) Peck of Galesburg; one daughter, Rosalie (Ed) McCollum of Ft. Madison, IA; 8 grandchildren, Patricia Foster, James Goben, Jared McCollum, Shawna Sanders, Sherry Edwards, Nicole Brandenberg, Michael Berg and Brandi Lynn Peck; 16 great grandchildren; and 6 great great grandchildren.  She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy (Roger) Goben; two sons, Jerome Richard and John Michael Peck; one brother, Virgil Hills; and one sister, Mary Beth Hills.

Vivian worked as a seamstress for Galesburg Gross and later Carhartt.  She retired in 1986.  Vivian was a member and longtime president of her union, ACTWU Local 465C (Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union).  Through involvement with her union and the Democratic Party, Vivian worked tirelessly for social and economic justice.  Vivian was a union delegate to the joint board in Chicago and the legislative chairman for her union.  There wasn’t much Vivian didn’t do for her union and any other union that needed help.  She served as a Knox County Democratic Precinct Committeeman from 1966 until 2008 and was one of Lane Evans’ earliest and strongest supporters when he ran for Congress in 1982.

In addition to serving as a Precinct Committeeman, she served several years as the State Central Committeewoman from the 17th Congressional District.  Vivian was a longtime active member of the Knox County Democratic Party and served as secretary for many years.  She was also a dedicated worker at the Annual Democratic Ice Cream Social.  She was a delegate to the mid-term Democratic Convention in 1978 and had been the Knox County Democratic Woman of the Year.  Vivian was a life member of the VFW Post 2257 Auxiliary and Abingdon American Legion Post 381 Auxiliary.  She also was a member of OSF St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary and belonged to Red Hat Societies in both Gilson and Galesburg.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.  Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2015 at the funeral home.  Deacon Michael Crummer will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg.  Memorials may be made to OSF St. Mary’s Auxiliary or the Knox County Humane Society.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.

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