Elsie E. Crail's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Elsie Elizabeth Crail, age 94 of Charleston, passed away on Friday, August 24, 2012 at her Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center home in Charleston. Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday, August 27, 2012 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Visitation will conclude at 7:00 p.m. with services to be conducted by members of the Charleston VFW Ladies Auxiliary Paul McVey Post 1592. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at the funeral chapel with Reverend Bill Boaz officiating. Interment will follow in Kickapoo Cemetery located south of Charleston. It is requested that memorial gifts in her honor be made to the Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Elsie was born on December 19, 1917 in Arcola, Illinois and was the daughter of Clarence and Minnie (Lytle) Thompson. She married Dorsey O. ""Doc"" Crail on March 27, 1937 in Charleston and he preceded her in death in 1977. Elsie is survived by her children, David Crail of Reno, Nevada, Donna Helton and husband Jack of Charleston, Natalie Miller and husband Donn of Riverton, Illinois, K. Sue Biggs and husband Garry of Rochester, Illinois and Emily Pekara and husband Gus of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a stepson, Richard Crail of Reno; a daughter-in-law, Judy Crail of California; fifteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Elsie was preceded in death by a son, George Crail; a grandchild; a great-great-grandchild; and two brothers, Lowell Thompson and Donald Thompson. While growing up in the Arcola area, Elsie attended and held membership at the United Brethren Church in Chesterville. She was employed by the Charleston School District as a cook at the high school for fifteen years and for thirteen years was a cook for Tri Sigma Sorority at E.I.U. She also assisted her husband Doc with the family construction business. She was a member of the Charleston VFW Ladies Auxiliary Paul McVey Post 1592 and Women of the Moose Chapter #1175. Elsie enjoyed reading and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She was known to be a wonderful cook and delighted in sharing her culinary skills and favorite recipes with her family. Elsie was also a top-notch seamstress who created numerous beautiful quilts - her children and grandchildren have all been gifted with a quilt - pieced and stitched with hours of tender loving care. Many have also been presented with a lovingly crocheted afghan. Elsie enjoyed time spent with her many friends, but it was those times spent with family which she considered to be extra special. She kept her family near and dear to her heart and took every opportunity to support them and encourage them. She especially enjoyed attending sporting events that involved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren - she was one of their biggest fans. Elsie will be remembered for her love of family - they will remember and treasure the many times and ways in which she showered each and every one of them with her warm and abiding love.
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