Elsie J. Willett

Elsie J. Willett, age 94, formerly of 100 S. Park Ave. Manito, Illinois passed away at the Hopedale Medical Complex in Hopedale, Illinois on October 13, 2015. Born June 12, 1921 in the town of Manito to Christopher J. and Bessie Tackman DeSutter, she married Harold R. (Hal) Willett on November 24, 1945 in Manito at the Community United Methodist Church. Mr. Willett preceded her in death on October 29, 1992 as did her son H. Daniel (Dan) Willett on February 3, 2011. Survivors include a son John Owen and Denise Kennedy Willett of Culpeper, VA.; two daughters, Christa Willett Robinson of Clearwater, FL. And Jacqueline Letitia Willett of Morton, IL. Elsie is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Elsie was a 1939 graduate of Manito High School and a December 1942 graduate of Bradley Polytechnic Institute (Bradley University) with a BS in Business Administration. She then went to work during WWII at the Oak Ordinance Plant in Illiopolis, Illinois and returned to central Illinois after the war to work briefly as an x-ray technician at Proctor Hospital in Peoria. She was a devoted wife, loving supportive mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, active in school gatherings and PTA functions. All while raising her children, she found time to help within the community. She was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Community United Methodist Church and served as a Lay Leader to the Methodist conference for 6 years. She was the first Board President of the newly formed Mason County Health Department and served for 8 years. She was a charter and Life member of the Manito Historical Society and one of the original founders of the Holiday School for the handicapped in Pekin, Illinois. Elsie was known to all as a happy and generous woman and will be sorely missed. She loved her gardens, music by Andre Rieu and collecting antiques. She will live on in the minds and hearts of those that knew her and the impression she left in their memories. Elsie will be greatly missed in the Willett family but her spirit and passion will forever be celebrated. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday October 17, 2015 at the Community United Methodist Church in Manito. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Kathy Clark officiating. Interment will be in Meadow Lawn Cemetery immediately following. Memorials may be made to the Community United Methodist Church or to the Forman Valley Foundation, both in Manito. Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito is in charge of the arrangements. To leave an online condolence go to www.hurleyfh.com.

Elsie J. Willett

June 12, 1921 - October 13, 2015

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