John M. Hurst with his wife Niki and late son Andy
Owner/Funeral Director & Embalmer
John M. Hurst purchased his father's interest in the firm in 1997. John is married to the former Niki Olszewski. John has 5 children, Andy (deceased), Jani Hurst (is a graduate of University of Iowa and Aurora University. Jani is employed as a Social Worker at North Central Behavioral Health Systems in La Salle), Hayden, Brady and Mason Hurst. John has been involved in many civic and social organizations including Past president of Peru Rotary, 3rd Degree K OF C, President of Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living, American Red Cross Board Member, Ladd Moose where he was past Governor and member, Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, LaSalle Business Association, Ladd Business Association, member of St Patrick's Church in LaSalle. I.F.D.A. District 5 where he had been a prior officer.
Hayden D. Hurst
Funeral Director and Embalmer
Hayden Hurst is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He is the son of John Hurst of LaSalle and Rena Foster of Peru. Hayden is married to the former Carly Spelich. They reside in Peru with their son Lance. He graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School in 2013. He is a fourth-generation funeral director for his family's business. Hayden is a member of LaSalle Rotary and LaSalle Business Association.
Kristen O'Connell
Funeral Director and Embalmer
Kristen O'Connell is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She is the daughter of Rick & Joleen (Data) Nauman of Ladd. She is married to Drayson O’Connell and together they have two daughters, Amelia and Emmalyn. She graduated from Hall High School in 2005. She joined the funeral home in October 2010.
Paul Szuda
Pre-Planning Consultant, Family Service Coordinator
Paul was born and raised in Peru. He was educated at Midstate College in Peoria with a degree in Business. He also earned a degree in Family Service Counseling from SCI Corporation. He worked as a Family Service Coordinator and Pre-Planning Consultant for 12 years in the Peoria-LaSalle-Peru-Ottawa area. Paul lives in Peru with his wife, Nancy. Together they have three children and six grandchildren.
Laverne Stodden
Funeral Assistant
Laverne has been a resident of LaSalle for over 40 years and was born in Effingham, IL. He married the former Jane Hammer on September 19, 1970, she is a seamstress. He has two daughters: Sara & Melissa. He retired from Saur-Danfoss out of Ames, Iowa. He is a member of St. Patrick's Church in LaSalle.
Chuck Volker
Funeral Assistant
Chuck is a lifelong Wenona resident and was married to the former Carol McClure, who passed away on March 10, 2017. He has a daughter Sara (Scott) Strauch of Toluca and a deceased son Doug of El Paso, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great granddaughters. Chuck retired as the Director of Maintenance for Fieldcrest School District. He is a member of St. John's Methodist Church in Wenona.
In Memoriam
James M. Hurst
James M. Hurst 71, of 3001 St. James Dr. in Peru, died March 16, 2009 in Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Saturday at St. Patrick Church in LaSalle with Rev. Robert Gielow C.M. and Rev. Daniel Ebker officiating. Burial will be at St. Vincent Cemetery in LaSalle. Visitation will be from 3 to 8pm on Friday in the Hurst Funeral Home in LaSalle with a rosary to be recited at 2:45pm. Additional Visitation will be from 8:30 to 9:30am Saturday in the funeral home.
Mr. Hurst was born in Springfield on July 2, 1937 to Arthur and Regina Rademacher Hurst. He married Betty Lushina on May 17, 1958. Mr. Hurst was a second generation funeral director of The Hurst Funeral Homes in LaSalle-Peru, Ladd, Tonica and Wenona. He was a member of St. Patrick Church, LaSalle-Peru Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Ladd Moose, Ladd Business Association, Illinois and National Funeral Director Associations and St. Vincent's Cemetery Board. He served on the Lighted Way Board for 36 years, the IVCH Hospital Board for more than 10 years, one of the founding members of The Illinois Valley Hospice Board, the Horizon House Board and was instrumental in beginning LaSalle's 911 System. Mr. Hurst was a graduate of St. Bede Academy, St. John's College in Minnesota and a 1956 Graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science.Mr. Hurst is survived by wife Betty, 2 sons Jim (Kathy) Hurst of Peru and John (Niki) Hurst of LaSalle, 2 daughters
Lori (Dave) Milus of Peru and Jolene (Tim) Plankenhorn of Oglesby, 15 Grandchildren, 3 Great-Grandchildren, one brother Richard (Mary) Hurst of Schaumburg and one sister Mary Ann Erickson of LaSalle.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Pallbearers will be Zach, Ryan and Abby Milus, Gina (Daryl) Baker, Michael, Andy, Hayden, Jani, Ashley, Brady and Mason Hurst, Nick and Kate Plankenhorn, Jake and Jennifer Marsala and Jonathan Moreno.
Memorials will be directed to St. Bede Academy, Lighted Way, Horizon House or donors choice.
In Memoriam
Andrew Hurst
Andrew J. "Andy" Hurst, 27, of LaSalle passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday October 1, 2013. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10:30 AM in St. Patrick's Church in LaSalle with his uncle, Abbott Roger Corpus OSB, Rev. Robert Gielow CM, and Very Rev. Antonio Dittmer, pastor of St. Patrick's Church officiating. Burial will be at St. Vincent's Cemetery in LaSalle. Visitation will be in St. Patrick's Church on Friday from 4:00-7:00PM. Andy was born on November 30, 1985 to John Hurst and Rena (Bekeleski) Foster. He graduated from St. Bede Academy in 2004. He attended Illinois Valley Community College and later graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2009. He worked with his grandfather and father at the Hurst Funeral Homes. Andy's ability to see the good in everyone made him the loving person he was. He had an infectious smile and bright blue eyes that were so full of life--a true charmer. His love of elephants came from his trip to Thailand with his mom. His love of sharks came from his trip to Atlantis. "Now Andy, you can go anywhere you wish". He was a member of LaSalle Rotary. Andy is survived by his parents, Rena & Jeff Foster of Peru, John & Niki Hurst of LaSalle, one sister Jani, three brothers, Hayden, Brady and Mason, his maternal grandparents Roland and Charlene Bekeleski of Spring Valley, and his paternal grandmother Betty Hurst of Peru, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather James M. Hurst and his cousin Michael Hurst. Pallbearers will be Hayden, Jani, Brady and Mason Hurst, Zack and Ryan Milus, and John Sampson. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Andy's name.
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