A life cut short 2

A life cut short 2
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Kyra Coyle-Desilets, 3, daughter of Lance Cpl. Benjamin Desilets, sizes up four young Marines standing guard outside the auditorium at Elmwood High School prior to a public viewing of her father's body Thursday afternoon. Lance Cpl. Desilets, who was posthumously promoted to corporal and given the Purple Heart and other honors at a ceremony preceding the viewing, was killed in the Anbar Province in Iraq last Tuesday. When nearby family members told her the Marines look just like her father, she replied "Those aren't daddy." DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

A life cut short 2

A life cut short 2
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Lance Cpl. Benjamin Desilets' mother Brenda Beckman-Desilets, accompanied by, from left, his father, Ronald Desilets, sisters Laura Desilets, 23, and Hannah Desilets, and daughter, Kyra Coyle-Desilets, 3, reads a statement in which the family thanked the community for its support through this difficult time prior to a public viewing of his body on Thursday at Elmwood High School. Desilets, 21, died last Tuesday while serving in Iraq. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

A life cut short 2

A life cut short 2
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Patriot Guard member David Clarke Sr., keeps guard outside Elmwood High School as a public viewing of Lance Cpl. Benjamin Desilets' body goes on in the school auditorium. Desilets died last Tuesday during combat in the Anbar Province of Iraq. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

End of an era

End of an era
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Brothers David, left, and Walter Alexander strip siding off of 837 North Maplewood Avenue while working with a subcontractor to salvage everything of monetary value, including copper wiring, wood trim, bricks and various other materials, before the homes are leveled to make way for the Bradley University expansion. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

End of an era

End of an era
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Steve McGarvey of Peoria Heights searches for coins, jewelry and other types of metal behind 923 North Maplewood Avenue prior to its destruction. After 4-5 hours, McGarvey, one of several salvagers allowed to search the properties being leveled for the Bradley University expansion, said he found mostly coins and bits of useless scrap metal. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

End of an era

End of an era
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Alan Ford, working for an independent contractor, tears apart the kitchen of 901 North Maplewood Avenue, one of the first homes to be vacated and demolished in preparation for the Bradley University expansion, in an effort to salvage quality wood molding. Before the homes are demolished, contractors come in to save everything from antique doorknobs to copper wiring. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

End of an era

End of an era
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Alan Ford, working for an independent contractor, takes a break while working to salvage what can be taken from 901 North Maplewood Avenue, one of the first homes to be vacated and demolished in preparation for the Bradley University expansion in April. For the last two years Ford has worked maintenance for many of the rental homes near the university. Now he's working to tear them apart. "It's the end of an era. But it's the beginning of a new one," he says. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

End of an era

End of an era
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

River City Demolition excavates the remains of the first house to be demolished on the corner of North Maplewood Avenue and Main Street in April. After the homes are salvaged for anything of value, the company tears them down in a matter of hours, excavates the remains, hauls away the materials and levels the land with new dirt. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

For the kids

For the kids
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Angelique Borneman, left, and Erin Stamm recruit customers for a "Charity hot bartender bikini car wash" to benefit local charity Riders with Heart at Lucky's bar on SW Adams Street on Sunday. The bar's owners say they try to do a fundraiser once a month. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Carnival

Carnival
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Starr Bill, 17, left, and Lisa Cook, 17, both of Washington, are laugh while being suspended upside down for a number of seconds on the Banzai ride while attending the Spring Carnival at the Peoria Civic Center on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon. The carnival began on the 24th and goes through Monday. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Carnival

Carnival
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Matthew Stahl, 6, and JoJo Rue, 5, of Pekin, shield their eyes from the sun as the watch Stahl's father ride the Megadrop at the Spring Carnival held at the Peoria Civic Center on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The carnival has games and rides both inside and outside and is continuing through Monday. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Sail

Sail
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

A sailboat makes its way upstream along the Illinois River Sunday afternoon. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

A life cut short

A life cut short
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Kyle Everett, 19, is consoled by friend Brynn Gergovich, 17, as the two joined hundreds of others in remembering their friend Lance Cpl. Ben Desilets, who died Tuesday while serving in Iraq, at a candlelight memorial in his honor in the Elmwood High School gymnasium Thursday night. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

A life cut short

A life cut short
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Brenda Desilets, mother of Lance Cpt. Ben Desilets, who died Tuesday while serving in Iraq, gets a hug from longtime family friend Susan Burger after the memorial. "He was a delight," Burger says. "Those blue eyes, you'd never forget him." DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

A life cut short

A life cut short
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Don Whelan, center, and others from the VFW hand out flags as hundreds filter into the Elmwood High School gymnasium for a candlelight memorial honoring Lance Cpl. Ben Desilets, 21, who died Tuesday in Iraq, at the Elmwood High School gymnasium Thursday night. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Peoria Speedway

Peoria Speedway
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

David Stern, 18, of Pekin, gets a kiss from girlfriend Courtney Comstock, 16, while waiting for the races to begin at the Peoria Speedway Wednesday evening. Hundreds of fans came out for a special appearance from NASCAR racers Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Peoria Speedway

Peoria Speedway
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Ernie Ochoa and his son Andres, 1, wearing protective goggles to protect him from flying mud, watch NASCAR racers Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader race at the Peoria Speedway Wednesday evening. The stands were full of fans who came to check them out and get autographs. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Peoria Speedway

Peoria Speedway
Originally uploaded by davidzentz

Jud Kratzer flinches from the roar of the racecars and flying mud as his father Jeff Kratzer of Princeville points toward the track where NASCAR racer Kenny Wallace was competing in the modified division at the Peoria Speedway Wednesday night. A large crowd came out to see NASCAR racers Wallace and Ken Schrader compete and sign autographs. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ol' timey religion

Ol' timey religion
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Josiah Frey, 9, left, and Lane Fowler, 10, listen comfortably from the back as Brother Tony Hutson, a guest preacher from the Middle Tennessee Baptist Church, sermonizes the congregation at the the First Baptist Church of Eureka during an old-fashioned tent meetup held by the church in celebration of its 50th anniversary on Tuesday evening. The church will have services every night this week featuring old-fashioned preaching and gospel singing. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ol' timey religion

Ol' timey religion
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Pastor Tony Hutson from the Middle Tennessee Baptist Church preaches at an old-fashioned tent meeting held by the First Baptist Church of Eureka Tuesday night. The church was holding a 10-day festival to celebrate its 50th anniversary. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ol' timey religion

Ol' timey religion
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Micah Frey, 5, runs toward friends while playing prior to a service at an old-fashioned tent meeting held by the First Baptist Church of Eureka Tuesday evening in honor of the church's 50th anniversary.DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Ol' timey religion

Old-timey religion
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Charissa Andrews scolds her son Noah, 8, who was horsing around with friends, before service at an old-fashioned tent meeting held by the First Baptist Church of Eureka Tuesday evening in honor of the church's 50th anniversary. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR
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Underserved

Underserved
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Rochelle Ballard gets ready to sit down with her daughters, Nia Hobbs, 5, left, and Janell Fykes, 3, after preparing a Mother's Day feast at their apartment in Harrison Homes on Sunday, May 13. Ballard, who now goes to three different grocery stores via bus to get the best prices on various products, says she would welcome the addition of a real grocery store within walking distance to the neighborhood. On Tuesday the City Council will vote to determine whether or not a potential new grocery store nearby will be granted a liquor license. If not, developer Ahmad Abud, says he will not be able to survive there and will develop elsewhere. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Underserved

Underserved by supermarkets
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Rochelle Ballard butters some cornbread while cooking dinner for herself and her two daughters in her apartment at Harrison Homes on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13. Ballard, who now goes to three different grocery stores via bus or cab to get the best prices on various products, says she would welcome the addition of a real grocery store within walking distance to the neighborhood. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

AIDS memorial

AIDS memorial
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Michael Maginn, executive director of Central Illinois Friends of People with AIDS, prays with about 50 others gathered for the 24th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial for AIDS Awareness at the Liberty Park Gazebo in Peoria Sunday evening. The event was sponsored by the Illinois Friends of People with AIDS and is intended to raise awareness and remember those who have died from the disease. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

AIDS memorial

AIDS memorial
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Steven Davis of Peoria focuses on his candle while participating with about 50 others in the 24th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial for AIDS Awareness at the Liberty Park Gazebo in Peoria Sunday evening. The event was sponsored by the Illinois Friends of People with AIDS. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

AIDS memorial

TEAL
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Awilda Pagan of Galesburg and Sharon Canty observe in silence as the names of individual from the area who have died of AIDS are read off at the 24th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial for AIDS Awareness at the Liberty Park Gazebo in Peoria Sunday evening. The event was sponsored by the Illinois Friends of People with AIDS and was attended by about 50 people.

TEAL

Ready to work
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Judith Smith, medical coordinator of the Robert J. Criss Reclamation Center on SW Adams Street in Peoria leads the group Test Early and Live, or TEAL, with a number of at-risk young women including Maikayhla Young, 13, left and Dawntaya Williams, 16. The faith-based group helps to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS through abstinence education and mentorship. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Mother's Day Tea

Mother's Day Tea
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Lois Driskell, 79, is assisted by her granddaughter, Lisa Metz, left, as she holds her 5-month-old great-grandson, Seth while being visited by her family for Mother's Day Tea at Bel-Wood Nursing Home in Peoria. Families as deep as five generations came out to spend time with their mothers and grandmothers on Sunday. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Mother's Day Tea

Mother's Day Tea
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Connie Powell of Peoria visits with her mother, Lola Cady, 79, outside of Bel-Wood Nursing Home in Peoria on Mother's Day as a Mother's Day Tea goes on inside. Several of Cady's 10 children, as well as her grandchildren and other family members came out to spend time with her and after they left Powell decided to stick around. "This is my second home," she says of the nursing home where her mother, who has both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, lives. "She's like my right arm." DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Mother-in-law day

Mother-in-law day
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Judy Hattermann is surrounded by her family, clockwise from left, daughter-in-law Jenni, husband Bob, son Joel, and grandsons Ozzy, 10, and Ian, 6, in the shared backyard of the family's adjacent homes in Bartonville. Jenni says she loves living next door to her mother-in-law, comparing the family to the television show "Everybody Loves Raymond." DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Tree sloth

Tree sloth
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Ian Hattermann, 6, pretends to be a sloth in a tree as his father, Joel, grandmother Judy, mother Jenni and grandfather Bob prepare to eat in the backyard on Wednesday, May 10. Jenni says the kids adore growing up next door to their grandparents. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Here's the pitch

Here's the pitch
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Woodruff high school's Matt Crowley pitches to Peoria Notre Dame's Andrew Ketterer as Notre Dame defeats Woodruff 10-5 at O'Brien Field Monday evening for the Mid-State 6 crown. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Back atcha

Back atcha
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Austin Robison, 4, takes a break during the annual Central Illinois MS Walk on Grandview Drive in Peoria Heights on Sunday. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

MS Walk

MS Walk
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Judy Norris, front left, Julie Seeley, center, and Stacy Price, front right, join others in a pre-walk stretch before taking part in the annual Central Illinois MS Walk Sunday at Tower Park. Hundreds of participants came out to walk North Grandview Drive to raise money for those living with multiple sclerosis, their families and caregivers. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Damage

Damage
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

A firefighter walks away from a pile of burning plastic pallets as others continue battling the flames at a multiple alarm fire Thursday at Morton Welding in Morton. Witnesses believe something caused the pallets to ignite, which then caused containers of liquid propane to explode, sending plumes of black smoke over the town that were visible miles away from Peoria. The damage is estimated at $250,000. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Finishing touches

Finishing touches
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Mike Emerson, owner of New Haven Painting, sprays a coat of gold paint over one of 36 pipe organ pipes he and partner Nick Thornton were finishing for Peoria's Sacred Heart Church in the Cobatco building on NE Adams Street on Thursday evening. The pipes will be part of the finishing touches for the church's 100th anniversary renovation and are actually decoys, as the church's organ is now digital. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Puttin' on the brakes

Puttin' on the brakes
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Canton left fielder Mackenzie Nuttall puts on the brakes as center fielder Kaylah Murphy calls her off to make the catch in the fourth inning of action between IVC and Canton high schools in Chillicothe on Wednesday. Despite making the play, the game was called in the 5th inning on the run rule, with Canton losing 10-0. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Good times

Good times
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

John Lauzon, 9, left and his brother Luke, 7, of Carbondale laugh as they horse around in the grass on the right field burm at O'Brien Field on a beautful Sunday afternoon as the Bradley Braves baseball team took on the Salukis. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Smoke 'em while you can

Smoke 'em while you can
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Bob Crowe of Peoria drags down what may be one of the last Pall Mall cigarettes he is allowed to enjoy indoors while stopping in at the Red Barn bar for a drink with his wife Chris on Tuesday evening. On Tuesday the Illinois House passed a bill that would ban smoking at all indoor work places should the governor sign it into law, which he has indicated he is going to do. Owner Dan Solomon is unhappy with the prospect. "As an owner it should be my decision. As a customer it should be their decision. It's as simple as that," Solomon says. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Kool

Kool
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Brittany Tanner, 11, Tim Malahy, 10, and Kai Patterson, 10, pour Kool-Aid for a customer at a stand they set up on the corner of S Second Ave and E Idlewood St in Morton on a warm Sunday afternoon. Business was good and at 50 cents a cup they were turning a nice profit by midday. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Urlacher

Urlacher
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Dan Blaskovitz, right, poses for a picture with Chicago Bears linebacker Ben Urlacher at the Brick Oven in Morton. Blaskovitz, who came two hours from Lockport to see him, joined about 400 other fans for the chance to meet him and get an autograph. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Fire

Fire
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

An Ameren Cilco worker secures live power lines left hanging after a house fire caused by a car explosion was extinguished by Peoria fire fighters at 1926 W Proctor Ave on Sunday night. Owner Charles L Mann and his nephew apparently were working on a fuel pump on their car parked in front of the house when gas leaked, causing the car to explode and then catching the house on fire. The nephew, whose name was not released, was treated for third degree burns. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Men of faith

Men of faith
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Father Jerry Logan of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Silvis prays before giving a sermon to the hundreds of participants taking part in the fourth annual Call to Catholic Men of Faith Men's March and Mass on Saturday morning in Peoria. The march commenced at Liberty Park on the Peoria Riverfront and ended at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception on NE Madison Ave. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Men of faith

Men of faith
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Participants laugh as father Patrick Henehan of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wapella concludes his sermon at the beginning of the fourth annual Call to Catholic Men of Faith Men's March and Mass at Liberty Park on Saturday morning in Peoria. Hundreds of area men, many with their sons, attended the march, which commenced at the park and ended at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception on NE Madison Ave. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

Men of faith

Men of faith
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Mike West, faithful outer council for the Knights of Columbus, stands near the group's float during the fourth annual Call to Catholic Men of Faith Men's March and Mass on Saturday morning in Peoria. The march commenced at Liberty Park on the Peoria Riverfront and ended at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception on NE Madison Ave. DAVID ZENTZ/JOURNAL STAR

For luck

For luck
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Visitors touch the nose on a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln for good luck while visiting Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield, Ill. DAVID ZENTZ