Dr. Alice C. Ferdinand

Dr. Alice C. Ferdinand, 101, of East Peoria, passed away peacefully at her home at 6:01 pm Friday, April 14, 2017. She was born May 12, 1915 in Roosevelt, OK to Samuel and Goldie Bozman Cooper. She married Howard Ferdinand in Crown Pointe, IN on June 7, 1941. He preceded her in death on April 6, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents; son, Tim in 2008; five brothers, and two sisters. Surviving are her son, Jed (Anita) Ferdinand; three grandsons, James, Matthew and Zachary; great-grandson, Grayson; and sister, Edith “Midget” Stillson. Dr. Ferdinand was a pediatrician having her own practice in Peoria for over 50 years before retiring. Over the years she enjoyed gardening, painting, and bird watching. Dr. Ferdinand was also a passionate conservationist, in 1973 she joined together with 20 other like-minded individuals to purchase what would become Marshall’s Point in Door County Wisconsin saving over 1000 acres of land from development and ensuring the land remained unspoiled. Dr. Ferdinand’s other passions, of course, were children and their parents. She mixed kindness and tough love to bring out the best in children and their parents. Long before Nike came up with their slogan, when a nervous parent complained about toilet training their toddler, Dr. Ferdinand would say “Well just do it.” Of course Alice enjoyed sports, she was an avid fan of the Oklahoma Sooner football team, and last year she finally got to see her beloved Cubbies win it all. Her late husband, Howie, could be heard clapping when it happened. Or maybe that was just thunder. Dr. Ferdinand would say she led a good life, but what she really did was give others the patience, encouragement, and self-confidence to make their lives and their families lives better. God bless her. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Cremation rites have been accorded. Family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm Friday, April 21, 2017 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Her memorial service will be at 1:30 pm Saturday, April 22 at the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Forrest Krummel officiating.

Dr. Alice C. Ferdinand

May 12, 1915 - April 14, 2017