Obituary index

Perry Edwin Groves Jr.

[October 21, 2025]  LINCOLN - Perry Edwin Groves Jr., 53, also known as “Elvis” to many friends and family, passed away Friday evening, October 17, 2025, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. He was born on September 28, 1972, in Lincoln, IL, the cherished son of Perry and Sophia Groves Sr.

Visitation:  Wednesday, October 22nd, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Peasley Funeral Home in Lincoln

Service:  Thursday, October 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home

Funeral home: Peasley Funeral Home, Lincoln 

Obituary

Perry Edwin Groves Jr., 53, also known as “Elvis” to many friends and family, passed away Friday evening, October 17, 2025, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. He was born on September 28, 1972, in Lincoln, IL, the cherished son of Perry and Sophia Groves Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Carie McEntire Groves; his two beloved daughters, Alexis Groves and Isabella Groves; his parents, Sophia and Perry Groves, Sr.; sisters Sophia Thompson (Buddy) and Kayla Koester (Andrew); nieces Kaitlin Burton (Klayton), Halie McEntire, Siera McEntire, and McKenzie Koester; nephew Logan Koester; and great-nephews Nolan Couve, Kolton Burton, Briar Burton, and Hudson Burton. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, David McEntire; Uncle Jack Groves; and grandparents Charlie and Ruby Groves, Paul and Lea McEntire, and Dean Roos.

Carie and Perry built a life filled with love, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime. He was a proud and loving father, and his girls were his greatest joy and proudest accomplishment. He supported and cheered them on in everything they did. He cherished his time spent with them doing the things that they loved. Perry enjoyed traveling with his family and was always ready to have a fun time.

Perry loved music and spent many years as an Elvis tribute artist and was inducted into the International Elvis Tribute Artist Hall of Fame in 2022. He loved traveling, performing, and entertaining as Elvis for his friends, family, and fans. Perry and the Elvis tribute artists he performed with became a second family, encouraging and supporting him in his love of competing and his love of Elvis. Perry also owned and operated King Karaoke and DJ Service and spent many nights spinning tunes and singing songs.

Baseball was one of Perry’s greatest passions, whether it was playing the game in his younger years, watching his favorite team, the Cardinals, calling plays as an umpire, or coaching for many years for Carroll, Zion, and New Holland schools' coop team. Baseball wasn’t just a pastime - it was part of who he was.

Perry was a racing enthusiast; he spent many hours watching racing, whether it was at the track or on TV. He especially enjoyed the years he crewed on the Barrick Motorsports team. He collected diecast cars, Hot Wheels, and always enjoyed putting together model cars. He also loved car shows. Any chance he had to show off his beloved Mustang “Raquel” made him proud. Perry spent countless hours washing and waxing her to keep her beautiful. He and his friends had a car club and called themselves the Woodlawn Knights.

Services will be held at Peasley Funeral Home in Lincoln. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd, from 5PM-8PM, and the funeral will be Thursday, October 23rd, at 10:30AM at the funeral home, with Pastor Steve Owens officiating. The burial will take place at New Union Cemetery in Lincoln, following the service.

Memorials may be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, Abraham Lincoln Quarter Midget Association, or a charity of your choice.

Though his time on earth was far too short, his impact will be felt forever by those who knew and loved him.

Peasley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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