Sylvester "June" Pelmore

Sylvester “June” Pelmore was born on February 12, 1948, in Champaign, IL, to Sylvester Sr. and Anniebell Williams-Pelmore.

Sylvester graduated from Urbana High School in 1966. He retired from the University of Illinois as a plumber and was among the first African American men to enter the Plumbers apprenticeship program. He was a UA Local 149 Plumbers & Pipefitters member for 50 years.

Sylvester “June” was a Morning Star Freewill Church member as a kid.  As an adult, he was a member of St. Luke C.M.E Church. He was a Men’s Fellowship member and was the chairman of the Steward Board from 1991-1993. As a member of the Trustee Board, he often volunteered his services doing plumbing work when needed. He also generously contributed to special projects at the church and at the church parsonage. He was a food pantry volunteer helping to unload the truck when food was delivered. When a truck was needed to pick up food for the Food Pantry, he volunteered his brother to drive his truck to pick up food when his health would not allow him to participate. His monthly monetary donations to the food pantry fund were greatly appreciated. He was faithful to his church until health challenges prevented him from attending.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Carrie Pelmore-McElrath and Ernestine Brown,; and brothers, Tommy and Lewis Pelmore.

Sylvester “June” leaves to cherish his memories Sheronda Smith-Williams, Champaign, Anthony Pelmore, Riverdale, GA, Myra Reed (Corey), South Bend, IN, Mark Pelmore (Crystal), Urbana, IL, Desmond Pelmore (Shalonda), Champaign, IL; brothers, James Pelmore, Urbana IL, Bobby Pelmore, Peoria, IL, and Steve Pelmore, Nashville, TN; sisters, Joeannier Smith, Savoy, IL, and Anna (Jeannie) Pelmore-McCoy (Vern), Urbana, IL; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life will commence at 1:00 pm Friday September 22, 2023 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home 1215 W. Bradley Ave., Urbana. A visitation will begin at 12:00 noon until the time of the service. Burial will follow after at Lincoln Cemetery.

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