Grace Lanthorn, 93, formerly of Elliottstown, IL passed away at 1:23 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Southern Illinois Healthcare Center Hospital in Herrin, IL.
Grace was born on August 9, 1916 in Effingham County, IL to Belle (Tedrick) and Bert Gillespie. On May 18, 1935 she married Herbert Lanthorn, a veteran of the United States Navy and long time school teacher. They lived in Elliottstown, IL for 61 years before his passing. She is survived by two daughters, Carol Mocaby of Goreville, IL and Crystal Dendinger (Mark) of Island Lake, IL. She has four grandchildren, Rick (Monica) Walker, Brett (Trish) Walker, Linda Walker and Clark Dendinger, along with four great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
Grace was a janitor at Elliottstown grade school and a child care provider for Sandy and Kenny Althoff whom she considered part of her family. She was a long time member of the Mount Zion Methodist Church and loved to go fishing and mushroom hunting.
She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert Lanthorn; her parents, Belle and Bert Gillespie; three brothers, Alva, James, and Robert; and one sister, Zola.
Funeral services were celebrated for the life of Grace at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Blake Wright Funeral Home in Dieterich, IL with Pastor Carroll Lewis officiating. Burial was at the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Elliottstown, IL. Visitation was from 11:00 a.m. until the service time.
Memorials may be made to Mount Zion Cemetery.
Herrin, Ill. —
