It's with great sadness that the family announces the passing of James "Pops" Richard Armstrong, 77, of Manito. He passed away at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Carle Health Pekin Hospital.
Jim was born on June 29, 1948 in Secor, a son of John Bruce and Lola (Malone) Armstrong. He married Sandra Meyer on July 24, 1993 in Manito. She survives.
He is also survived by his three children, Brenda Lynn Hembra and Stephanie Ann Underwood, both of Heyworth and Thomas Warren (Jeana Hayes) Finley of Manito; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Thomas Armstrong of Anderson, South Carolina; two sisters, Kathryn Felmey of North Pekin and Loria Brown of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Aric Jon Armstrong and James Waylon Landrith; three brothers, Roger Armstrong, Dennis Armstrong, and Douglas Armstrong; and sister, Theda Stevenson.
Jim will be remembered for his love of motorcycles, collecting Harley-Davidson T-shirts, and the loyalty to his friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. A bus monitor for 17 years at Midwest Central District 191, loving each child he came in contact with.
Cremation has been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Jim's family will be arranging a celebration of life gathering to take place at a later date. Details will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Jim and Trudy Maloof St. Jude Affiliate Clinic in Peoria at https://www.stjude.org/donate
Online condolences may be given to Jim's family at www.Preston-Hanley.com
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