The recent mystery tour to Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton was more than just another outing for the Peoria Charter Coach Co.

The event, attended by some 350 people, celebrated the bus company's 75th anniversary. "This is our way of thanking our employees, our former employees, our suppliers and, oh yes, our customers," Bill Winkler, the company president, told the group that gathered for lunch and entertainment at the Princeton garden spot.

The company, whose buses carry the Peoria name all over the country, is a good example of a family business that has been able to flourish in central Illinois. Like other success stories, this family business company started small. Walt Winkler, Bill's grandfather, decided to start a commuter service for Caterpillar workers in 1941, trading in the family car and taking a loan from his sister's chicken farm in order to acquire his first bus.

With gas rationing in effect during World War II, bus transportation was desperately needed. Then known as the Spring Bay Lacon Bus Co., Winkler made it possible for workers who lived in Lacon and Spring Bay to reach their jobs at factories in Peoria — helping individual families and the nation's war effort.

In 1946, the company name changed to the Peoria Charter Coach Co.

With the arrival in the 1950s of Stan and Roger Winkler, Walt's sons, the family business really got rolling. Roger Winkler, Bill's father and now retired, recalled some of those early years before the group gathered at Hornbaker Gardens. "I remember the first bus that we got that had a restroom on board. No one could believe it. Now every over-the-road coach has one," he said.

Roger's wife, Velda Winkler, brought customer service skills to the fore while tackling marketing efforts for the firm. She also drove one of the school buses the company was running. But she didn't stop there. Velda Winkler started the company's tour department for group travel in 1977. She recalled those early days of group trips at Hornbaker Gardens.

Peoria Charter kept innovating in the 1980s, starting up a shuttle that connected Peoria with Chicago airports, a service that the company continues to operate. Today, Charter Coach operates 16 shuttles a day, 365 days a year, between Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign and Chicago.

It was in 1990 when a third generation, Bill and Cindy Winkler, joined the family business. By 1999, the company was operating 48 buses, offering charter trips to every corner of the country, while employing 100 people. In 2000, Bill Winkler became president while Cindy Winkler became vice president.

In recounting some of the company history in Princeton, Bill Winkler credited hard work and good people as keys to Peoria Charter's continued growth over the years.

As a company that's used to staying on the move, Peoria Charter opened a facility in 2006 in Champaign-Urbana, strengthening its ties to the University of Illinois, where more than 3,500 students routinely use Peoria Charter shuttles each semester.

In 2014, Jake Winkler joined the company, bringing a fourth generation to the bus workplace. Focusing on social media marketing and sales, Jake Winkler has also shown a keen appreciation for company history, putting together a broad collection of bus memorabilia spanning each decade from the 1940s on.

Now with 64 buses in the fleet, Peoria Charter is already considering yet another anniversary — "in 25 years, when I'm 80 I'll probably be sitting," said Bill Winkler with a smile.

The family business just keeps growing. Earlier this summer, a fifth generation to the Winkler family was born when Bill and Cindy's daughter Sarah and husband, Ian, had a baby girl named Leah Rose.

There's no telling what the future will bring when it comes to transportation. Whether electric-powered or equipped with wings, chances are there will be a Winkler involved.

Steve Tarter is the Peoria accountability reporter at the Jour nal Star. he can be reached at the Journal Star. He can be reached at 686-3260 and starter@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter@SteveTarter.