Evelyn Voights

STREATOR-  Evelyn E.Voights 98 of Streator died Monday morning (July 23, 2012) at Robins Private Care Home, Streator.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at Hagi Funeral Home with Rev. Denita Parra, pastor of Ransom United Methodist Church, officiating, Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM Thursday at Hagi Funeral Home. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Streator.
Mrs. Voights was born Feb. 8, 1914 in Tonica the daughter of James and Esther (Shawback) Hopper. She married Byron E. Voights, Feb. 28, 1933 at the Grace Evangelical United Brethren Church parsonage, Streator. He preceded her in death Jan. 5, 2001.
Evelyn and her husband farmed in Otter Creek Township all their lives until retirement. Upon their retirement they spent winters in Naples FL. Evelyn lived at Liberty Village in Streator for ten years following the death of her husband, where she enjoyed many friendships. She and her husband were avid squaredancers and loved spending time with their family in the early years, including fishing with the grandchildren, to more recent times on outings with daughter Jean and family dinners with their grandchildren. Evelyn was a talented seamstress and enjoyed knitting, crocheting and needlework. She was an active volunteer during her life including the Canteen at the Santa Fe depot during WWII, the gift shop at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Red Cross Bloodmobile where she served for more than twenty years. She was also a leader for the Otter Creek 4-H club.
She was a member of the former Evangelical United Brethren Church, Streator and later Grace United Methodist Church where she was active in the Missionary Society and the Triple C Club. She and her husband Byron were also active in the Builder’s Club. Upon the dissolution of the Grace United Methodist Church she became a member of the Ransom United Methodist Church. She attended grade schools in the Tonica, Leonore and Streator areas and was a graduate of Streator Township High School class of 1931.
She is survived by one daughter, Jean Swanson, rural Ransom/ Streator, three grandchildren, Debra (Mark) Lyons, Carmel IN, Cinda (Martin) Pembroke, Western Springs, Scott (Sue McCormick) Swanson, Ottawa, five  great grandchildren, Patrick (Kristin) Lyons, Matthew, Amanda and Megan Pembroke and Axel Swanson, one sister Ruth Loeback, Peru, sisters-in law, Georgia Voights, Streator and Edith Hopper, California, many nieces and nephews and her friends and caregivers Robin and Patrick Turner.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband brothers Cloyce and Gene Hopper of California, sisters Ruby Thornton of Davenport and LaRue Turner of Peru, son-in-law Gerald Swanson and grandson, John Eric Swanson and granddaughter-in-law Patricia O’Brien.
Pallbearers will be Scott and Axel Swanson, Mark and Patrick Lyons, Martin and Matthew Pembroke.
Memorials may be made to the Ransom United Methodist Church.