1926
Wilma
2013
Wilma Pursell
June 29, 1926 — April 16, 2013
On April 16, 2013, Wilma L. Pursell “slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God”, R. Reagan. She was 86 years young.
Wilma was born at home on June 29, 1926 in Rock Falls, IL to William S. and Lena L. (Devers) Hines. Wilma attended Merrill Grade and Rock Falls High schools at Rock Falls, IL. During her formative years, she worked at her parents’ store, Hines Grocery, at Rock Falls, IL. As an adult, she was employed by Lawrence Brothers at Sterling, IL. Her main task was brushing hinges. She married Arthur R. Pursell, on July 20, 1957 at her parents’ home at Como, IL. After her marriage, Wilma became a full time homemaker and a stay at home mother. During this time, Wilma enjoyed her home, her little family, her extended family, her friends, and neighbors. She also enjoyed yard work, gardening, dancing, playing cards, bowling, and camping. Along with her late husband, she hosted an annual fish fry for their many family member, friends, and neighbors. After her parents deaths, Wilma and her three sisters hosted an annual Hines family reunion to help the generations to keep in touch. At the time of her death, this gathering was still ongoing and Wilma only missed the 2012 reunion due to her fragile health. After Arthur’s retirement, Wilma had the opportunity to winter in Florida, where they made numerous new friends and she learned to enjoy boating and fishing. After Arthur’s passing, Wilma relocated to Corning, AR where she enjoyed remodeling her little brick house, her flowers, shopping, lunching, crossword puzzles, watching Dancing with the Stars and game shows, and opening her home to visiting family and friends. One of Wilma’s greatest regrets was never learning to swim.
Wilma is survived by her daughter Nancy (Les) Gray and Jill (James) Foster of Corning, AR, and Sue Yancey (Dean Wheeler) of Roanoke, VA; step-son Fred Williams of Victoria, TX; sister LaVern (Wayne) Smith of Rock Falls, IL; grandchildren James Baldwin, Kim (Steve) Maynard, Stephanie (Casey) Valladares, Shannon (Phil) Wilkerson, Amalie (Chris) Otto, Bryan Volkmann, Mahli (Stephen Myers) Williams, and Mallory Williams; great grandchildren MacKenzie, Hunter, and Colton Bland, Serenna and Sean Maynard, Carsen Osborn, Mariah Valladares, Bayley Baker, KaliAnn Schreiner, Leah Wilkerson, Abbie and Willie Meyer, and Madelynn Myers; brother-in-law Charles (Diane) Pursell of Middleton, WI; sisters-in-law Kathy Pursell of Rock Falls, IL, Karen Pursell of Lodi, WI, Pat Pursell of Sparta, WI; granddaughter-in-law Jenn Schreiner; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; an infant son Kim Pursell; grandsons Joshua Osborn and Jason Meyer; sisters Viola Covell and Gladys Dais; sisters-in-law Elaine Godfrey and Eleanor Pursell; and brothers-in-law Ed Covell, John Dais, Dale Woods, Lyman Godfrey, Eldon and Larry Pursell.
Wilma will be interned with her husband, Arthur. Per Wilma’s instructions, there will only be graveside services performed by Rev. Richard Fassig of Rock Falls United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, 18268 Pennington Rd., Sterling, IL. Following the services, there will be a gathering and luncheon for family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate Wilma’s life at Longshots, 3312 W. Rt. 30, Rock Falls, IL. Arrangements are being handled by Ermert Funeral Home in Corning, AR.
In lieu of flowers, Wilma would prefer that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 1818 N Taylor St Ste 186, Little Rock, AR 72207-4639, the Leukemia Research Foundation, 3520 Lake Ave., Suite 202, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to the charity of your choice.
Online Condolences: www.ermertfuneralhome.com
Submitted by family.
Wilma was born at home on June 29, 1926 in Rock Falls, IL to William S. and Lena L. (Devers) Hines. Wilma attended Merrill Grade and Rock Falls High schools at Rock Falls, IL. During her formative years, she worked at her parents’ store, Hines Grocery, at Rock Falls, IL. As an adult, she was employed by Lawrence Brothers at Sterling, IL. Her main task was brushing hinges. She married Arthur R. Pursell, on July 20, 1957 at her parents’ home at Como, IL. After her marriage, Wilma became a full time homemaker and a stay at home mother. During this time, Wilma enjoyed her home, her little family, her extended family, her friends, and neighbors. She also enjoyed yard work, gardening, dancing, playing cards, bowling, and camping. Along with her late husband, she hosted an annual fish fry for their many family member, friends, and neighbors. After her parents deaths, Wilma and her three sisters hosted an annual Hines family reunion to help the generations to keep in touch. At the time of her death, this gathering was still ongoing and Wilma only missed the 2012 reunion due to her fragile health. After Arthur’s retirement, Wilma had the opportunity to winter in Florida, where they made numerous new friends and she learned to enjoy boating and fishing. After Arthur’s passing, Wilma relocated to Corning, AR where she enjoyed remodeling her little brick house, her flowers, shopping, lunching, crossword puzzles, watching Dancing with the Stars and game shows, and opening her home to visiting family and friends. One of Wilma’s greatest regrets was never learning to swim.
Wilma is survived by her daughter Nancy (Les) Gray and Jill (James) Foster of Corning, AR, and Sue Yancey (Dean Wheeler) of Roanoke, VA; step-son Fred Williams of Victoria, TX; sister LaVern (Wayne) Smith of Rock Falls, IL; grandchildren James Baldwin, Kim (Steve) Maynard, Stephanie (Casey) Valladares, Shannon (Phil) Wilkerson, Amalie (Chris) Otto, Bryan Volkmann, Mahli (Stephen Myers) Williams, and Mallory Williams; great grandchildren MacKenzie, Hunter, and Colton Bland, Serenna and Sean Maynard, Carsen Osborn, Mariah Valladares, Bayley Baker, KaliAnn Schreiner, Leah Wilkerson, Abbie and Willie Meyer, and Madelynn Myers; brother-in-law Charles (Diane) Pursell of Middleton, WI; sisters-in-law Kathy Pursell of Rock Falls, IL, Karen Pursell of Lodi, WI, Pat Pursell of Sparta, WI; granddaughter-in-law Jenn Schreiner; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; an infant son Kim Pursell; grandsons Joshua Osborn and Jason Meyer; sisters Viola Covell and Gladys Dais; sisters-in-law Elaine Godfrey and Eleanor Pursell; and brothers-in-law Ed Covell, John Dais, Dale Woods, Lyman Godfrey, Eldon and Larry Pursell.
Wilma will be interned with her husband, Arthur. Per Wilma’s instructions, there will only be graveside services performed by Rev. Richard Fassig of Rock Falls United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, 18268 Pennington Rd., Sterling, IL. Following the services, there will be a gathering and luncheon for family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate Wilma’s life at Longshots, 3312 W. Rt. 30, Rock Falls, IL. Arrangements are being handled by Ermert Funeral Home in Corning, AR.
In lieu of flowers, Wilma would prefer that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 1818 N Taylor St Ste 186, Little Rock, AR 72207-4639, the Leukemia Research Foundation, 3520 Lake Ave., Suite 202, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to the charity of your choice.
Online Condolences: www.ermertfuneralhome.com
Submitted by family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilma Pursell, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors