Steven “Spoonman” Tankersley, age 67, of Pekin, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, December 8, 2025 at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital. Born on February 1, 1958 in Salem, Indiana, he was the son of Luther “Bud” Tankersley and Nervesta “Vesta” (Ash) Tankersley.
Steve was a retired Boilermaker and proud member of the Local 374 boilermakers union. He was also the former owner of TNT Welding in Pekin. Steve’s dad taught him to play the spoons at a young age, and Steve continued the legacy by passing this down to his own kids and grandkids. Spoonman played on stages with musicians all across the US, and even gathered his hometown family and friends to break the Guinness Book of World Records for largest spoons ensemble in 2011. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Pekin.
He is survived by his 5 children: Stephanie Bierly, Meliegha Tankersley, Dennis Tankersley (Heidi), Jasemine Hurst (Dillon), Dalton Tankersley (Brooke); 1 brother, John Clark; 2 sisters, Susan Martin, and Tina Campbell; 16 grandchildren: Carson, Brandon, Christian, Reese, Braeden, Mia, Jent, Duke, August, Braylin, Harlin, Hazel, Jaxtin, Jett, Huxson, and Ensley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther “Bud” Tankersley, and Nervesta “Vesta” (Ash) Tankersley; 3 brothers: Dennis, Tommy, Tony; and 1 sister, Becky.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home – Pekin Chapel with Bro. David Colbert officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.
