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Mrs. Elsie G. Wheeler of Murphysboro
died Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at home one month before her 88th
birthday. She was born on November 18, 1918 in Jackson County, Illinois
the daughter of the late Odes Worthen and Myrtle Ripley Worthen. She
married Robert Wheeler in Pinckneyville, Illinois on June 11,1936. Funeral
Services will be held Saturday, October 21st at 1:00pm at Crawshaw Funeral
Home in Murphysboro with Rev. Paul Hicks officiating. The family will
receive friends from 11:00A.M. until hour of services. Memorials may be
made to the Murphysboro Youth and Recreation Center to begin a Family Arts
Program and will be received at the funeral home or may be mailed to MYRC,
% Karen Lavender, Sec., 333 N. 9th St., Murphysboro, IL 62966. Elsie was
formerly employed by Brown Shoe Company and Murphysboro Unit School
District #186 as a cook at McElvain School and Murphysboro Township High
School. Later Elsie and her husband Bob owned and operated Elsie's Café in
Murphysboro from 1966 to 1976. Elsie made famous the curly dog and Elsie's
cream pies. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Baptist Youth Fellowship leader,
Social Committee Member at First Baptist Church; volunteer at Murphysboro
Youth & Recreation Center and very active in supporting youth programs for
many years in Murphysboro. She assisted her husband Bob on the Murphysboro
Apple Festival committee for many years and helped start the Apple
Festival "Apple Stand". She and Bob were recipients of the Murphysboro
Apple Festival "Founders Award" in 2001. They also loved to Square Dance
and were members of the Hi Neighbors and danced throughout Southern
Illinois for many years. Elsie was an avid quilter, seamstress, and
knitter. She enjoyed her special friends in the monthly "domino club".
Survivors include: One Daughter and Son in Law, Karen and David "Purp"
Lavender of Murphysboro. Grand Daughters: Dana Lavender Sites and her
husband Ron of Kansas, Illinois. Sarah Lavender of St. Peters, Missouri.
Robin Lavender-Mach and her husband Bob of Catawissa, Missouri. Five Great
Grand Children: Shelby Susanne Stites and Ronald Carstan Sites, Jordan
Robert Mach, Jayden Lee Mach, and Joseph David "Joey" Mach. Special
friends Mary Lou Creath, Olliebelle Ridley, and Zidania Boucher. One
Sister, One Brother, and One Infant Daughter, Roberta Jane Wheeler
preceded her in death. Following the services a "Celebration of Life Open
House" will be held until 7:00 pm at the home of Karen and "Purp" Lavender
333 North 9th Street, Murphysboro. Family and friends are invited.
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