Vera K. Cumming, 63, of Peoria Heights, passed away at 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at home.
     Vera was born on December 8, 1942 in Battle Creek, MI, daughter of Richard B. Clarke, Sr. and Wanda I. Hall Clarke. She married Gary L. Cumming on June 28, 1964 at First Baptist Church in Peoria. He survives.
     She is also survived by her mother, Wanda I. (Merv) Knapp of Peoria; son, Bartlett “Bart” Cumming of Peoria Heights; daughter, Charmaine “Char” (Paul) Vandersteen of Shorewood, IL; five grandchildren, Samantha and Austin Vandersteen and triplets, Noah, Eli and Gracie Cumming; brother, William (Joyce) Clarke of Peoria; three sisters, Constance Moukarbel of Peoria, Rickie King of Washington, IL and April (Bob) Erickson of Surprise, AZ.
     Her father and one brother, Richard B. Clarke, Jr, preceded her in death.
     Vera was a bookkeeper and co-owner of AA Accounting & Financial Services in Peoria Heights, with her husband Gary, for the last twenty-two years. She was the former manager of the House of Fabrics in Peoria and was also a former realtor for Century 21 in Peoria. Vera was a member of First Baptist Church in Peoria and the Sigma Chi Chapter of Pi Omicron National Sorority. She was a former member of the Peoria Emblem Club.
     In younger years, Vera enjoyed painting, sewing and cooking. Later in life, she enjoyed spending her time playing bingo and working on genealogy. She enjoyed listening to opera and easy listening, but Neil Diamond and Johnny Mathis were her favorites. She collected teddy bears and loved taking part in any family event. Her trip to Hawaii and time spent visiting her grandchildren, were her favorite getaways. Her family will remember her most for her common sense, people skills, personality, determination, humanity and her courage.
     Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2006 at her church, with Pastor Thomas G. Bayes, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. this evening at her church. Cremation rites will be accorded, after services. Memorial contributions may be made to Methodist Hospice. Arrangements are entrusted to Clary Funeral Consultants in Peoria.