Wendi L. Roper

Wendi Lynn Roper, 27, of East Peoria, IL, died at 1:30 am Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at Maple Ridge Care Centre in Lincoln, IL. She was born on September 2, 1982 in Peoria, IL to Charles W. and Susan L. Eads Roper. Surviving are her parents, Sue Roper of East Peoria, IL and Chuck (Paula) Roper of Marion, IL; 2 sisters, Amanda (Bob) Bradstreet of Washington, IL, Aimee (Josh) Peterson of Pekin, IL; 1 step-sister, Julie (Mike) Eich of Reddick, IL; 1 step-brother, Chris (Carla) Irvin of Gardner, IL; maternal grandparents, Wendell and Dolores Eads of East Peoria, IL; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She also was a wonderful, fun-loving aunt to Madisyn, Dylan, Hannah, and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, a nephew, Tyler Bradstreet, and maternal great-grandparents, Blanche and Earl Caldwell. Wendi was a graduate of East Peoria High School, Class of 2000. She then graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a Bachelor’s degree. She was a social worker for Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, IL and was previously employed as a social worker by Advent Group Ministries in San Jose, CA. Wendi dedicated her life to serving the needs of others. She loved art, music, dance, and expressing herself through fashion. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Peoria. Funeral services will be at 11:30 am Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Pastor Jim Book will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:30 am Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. We appreciate everyone's respect of Wendi's privacy through these past few months. Many of you were willing to pray without knowing all of the circumstances, and we are so appreciative! At the time of Wendi's injury we decided as a family, that although this is an illness and nothing to be embarassed about, that in her interest we would not disclose the circumstances around her injury while we were still praying she would be healed here on Earth. Although she was dearly loved and adored by her family and friends she struggled for years with severe depression. We are so thankful that she is now in a place where she can fully know and believe how beautiful, loving, smart, thoughtful and fun we all thought she was. Now that she is completely healed and whole in Heaven we feel that in her memory it is our responsibility to raise awareness of depression and suicide, in hopes that others can be helped. These are the only details as a family that we are comfortable sharing, as more in depth details are painful and private to discuss. Thank you so much for your prayers and support of our family through all of this and in the months to come. We are more grateful than words can express!

Wendi L. Roper

September 2, 1982 - August 17, 2010