Bernard L. “BJ” Chase, Jr., 27, of Peoria, passed away at 8:17 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at his home.
     Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria, with the Reverend Dean Grabill officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria.
     BJ was born in Peoria on February 16, 1984. He is survived by his father, Bernard L. “Bernie” Chase, Sr. of Peoria; mother, Lori Ann (McDonald) Short of Easly, SC; sister, Nicole (Greg) Merry of Peoria; maternal grandmother, Marge (Dale) Deeter of Easly, SC; maternal grandfather, Kenneth McDonald of Lodi, CA; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
     He was preceded in death by his paternal great grandmother, Ruth Barry; paternal grandmother, Carolyn Hayes; maternal great grandmother, Florence Carson; and maternal grandmother, Idabelle McDonald.
     BJ was currently an installer for Eco Water Systems in Pekin and was formerly employed with Sutherland Ace Hardware in East Peoria.
     He was raised at First English Lutheran Church in Peoria and was active in Cub Scouts and JFL. He was a 2002 graduate of Woodruff High School in Peoria and was a student worker at Lincoln Middle School. He had attended Illinois Central College in East Peoria.
     BJ loved golf; Frisbee golf; target shooting at the gun club with his dad; concerts and music; electronics; fixing and inventing things; the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs and all sports; and anything outdoors. He collected sports memorabilia, coins and sports cars. He was fast on his toes and was a one-line genius. He most enjoyed spending his time at Jimmy’s Bar and with his cousins, Jared and Matt.
     He was sweet, willing to help anyone, the life of the party, funny and caring. He was amazing all the way around - a wonderful son, brother and friend. He enjoyed life to the fullest and was a friend to everyone. He wanted to fix the world.