Minnie Fern Stritzel

Minnie Fern Stritzel Prosperity—Minnie Fern (Grant) Stritzel, 90 of Prosperity, went to be with her Lord, on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 8:15 AM at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale after a sudden heart attack. Funeral services for Minnie are scheduled for Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Pastor Dan Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City. Visitation will be held from Noon until the service hour on Saturday. Memorial donations are suggested to the Illinois 4-H Foundation; envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Minnie was born on the George Grant family farm in Williamson County to George & Minnie (Mann) Grant on Thursday, November 24, 1921. She married Joe Stritzel in Jackson, MO on Friday, December 26, 1941; they were two months shy of their 71st anniversary. Joel survives of Prosperity. Minnie is survived by her husband, Joe; daughter, Janet & Doug Chapman of Belvidere; granddaughter, Meagan & Brent Heilman; great-grandchildren, Gwen & Drew Heilman of Vernon Hills, Todd & Mardi Chapman, with their children, Tralee, Mason & Tyson of Belvidere and Jill & Steve Bimmerle, with their children, Hannah & Sarah of Noblesville, IN; son, Joe Dean & Pam Stritzel of Marion; grandchildren, Garrett & Brenda Stritzel, with their children, Luke & Tyler of Carterville, Julie & Tim McSwain, with their children, Caleb & Rachel of Herrin, (deceased son Tommy’s children) Cory, Courtney & Gavin Stritzel of Johnston City; foster daughter, Ann Patterson; special nephew & nieces, Wendell Stritzel, Beverly Hawkins and Brenda Hale. Mrs. Stritzel was preceded in death by her parents, George & Minnie; son, Tommy; brothers, Bert, Lee, Ben, Mark, Wayne, Paul, Pete and Ellis Dee Grant; sisters, Ruth Bandy and Ruie Stritzel. Minnie Fern devoted her life to the children of Southern Illinois as a Girl Scout leader and long-time 4-H leader in Williamson County. She also enjoyed creating cross stitch pictures, quilts and table covers for family and friends. She was a great cook who loved spending an exuberant amount of time at her and Joe’s New Haven fishing cabin.