Esther Lilley

Esther M. Lilley

Age 88 of Morris and formerly Seneca, Illinois, passed away Monday, January 26, 2009 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born September 03, 1920 in Charleston, Illinois, Esther was a daughter of David and Estella (Veesey) Hussong. She was raised and educated in the Charleston-Mattoon area, and graduated from Fitch High School in Springfield, Illinois. On December 21, 1940, Esther married Allan C. Lilley in Humboldt, Illinois. They moved to the Seneca area in 1949 and lived in the Morris and Seneca area their entire married life. Esther was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Morris where she was involved with the Miriam Circle. In her free time, Esther enjoyed reading, sewing and working word puzzles.

Esther is survived by her children, one son: Allan (Ruth Anne) Lilley of Coal City and one daughter Sharon (Steven) Schmuker of Lucas, Texas; 4 grandchildren: Kirk (Erin) Steffes of Bel Air, Maryland, Beth (Bentley) Hatteberg of Morris, Jamey (Scott) Parker of Carrollton, Texas and Lisa Kay (Kirk) Walker of Mazon; Seven great-grandchildren: Tess, Mason, Grant, Marshall, Jack, Brennan, and Addison; two sisters in law: Evlyn Horn of Mattoon and Helen Lilley of Champaign, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Allan C. Lilley in February 1983, one daughter: Linda Kay Lilley in infancy (1946) and five brothers: Bob, George, Ruben, Charles and Nealand Hussong.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Wednesday January 28, 2009 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block East of Illinois Route 47) in Morris.

Funeral services will follow on Thursday January 29th at 9:30AM in the funeral home with Rev. Doc Newcomb officiating.

Burial will be in Odd Fellow Cemetery in Humboldt, Illinois and Esther's grandchildren will act as pallbearers.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Esther's memory to the First United Methodist Church of Morris, 118 West Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois 60450, Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815/942-2500)