Edith L. Malehorn's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Edith "Edie" Malehorn, age 85 of Charleston, IL, departed this life on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 while at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon, IL. A visitation celebrating her life will be held on Monday, March 30, 2015 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at the chapel with Timothy Rapson officiating. Guests may share anecdotes of Edie's life at both events. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Volunteer Pioneers at Lincoln Log Cabin. Gifts may be left on the memorial table during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Edie was born January 20, 1930 in Oak Park, IL to the late Edward and Mildred (Peaslee) Jensen. She married Hal Malehorn on April 17, 1954; he survives. She is also survived by their four children: Kathryn (Timothy) Rapson of Decatur, IL; Steven Malehorn of Charleston, IL; Janet (Jerry) Spencer of Helena, MT; and David (Lois Gambill) Malehorn of Pittsburgh, PA. Edie's life was blessed by seven grandchildren: Grace (Jacob) Frazier; Ben and Deborah Rapson; Rachel, Michelle and Alison Malehorn and Sharon (Tommy) Johnson. Two great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Faye Frazier, extended the family circle. Edie is also survived by her beloved cat Zoey. During the Depression, Edie's family moved to Lakeland, Florida, where her parents bought and operated a restaurant. She assisted in the Children's Bible Mission. In 1948, Edie enrolled in Wheaton College, in Wheaton, IL, majoring in elementary education. Edie taught elementary school students in four western Chicago suburbs and in Mattoon, IL. The Malehorn family moved to Charleston, IL in 1970. Edie was the director of Christian Education for Charleston's First Christian Church before serving three years as secretary of Christian Campus House. In the 1980's, Edie was employed on the campus of Eastern Illinois University, assisting the Advisement Center, Purchasing Office, and Tarble Arts Center. Following retirement from EIU, Edie was a Volunteer Pioneer at Lincoln Log Cabin. There, she reorganized and managed the gift shop and created period clothing for living-history interpreters. She hand crafted dolls authentic to 1845 for the young girls who were interpreting. Edie and Hal enjoyed spending summers traveling in their camper, participating in Elder-hostel experiences. Edie enjoyed collecting seashells, reading science fiction and detective stories, and writing poetry. Edie greatly enjoyed the comfort of her calico cat, Zoey. Edie was cherished by her husband and family and was respected by her friends. She expects to be reunited with her loved ones, as she was fully confident of life after life.Click to view Edie's memorial video.
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