Former Illinois REALTORS® President Ron Hardgrove, who served for a decade as director of real estate for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations, died Friday in Peoria. He was 76.

Hardgrove was president of the state association in 2002, and served terms on its Board of Directors and on the board of the National Association of REALTORS®.

Hardgrove served as president of the Peoria Area Association of REALTORS®, and had been honored with the organization’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Ron brought decades of experience to bear on leadership at the local, state and national levels,” said Illinois REALTORS® President-elect Ed Neaves. “His legacy is one of continually pushing to make the industry better.”

Hardgrove is survived by his wife, Loretta, five children and 16 grandchildren.

According to the obituary, visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Peoria Heights. A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, also at the church, with a half-hour prior visitation.

Donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas Church in Peoria Heights in lieu of flowers.