Ethel A. Denler, 89, of Peoria, passed away at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at OSF Saint Clare Home in Peoria Heights.
Ethel was born in Bloomington on July 22, 1920, a daughter of Homer L. and Ethel L. (Bowman) Gilbert. She married Lloyd Richard Denler on February 14, 1947 in Normal. He preceded her in death on February 17, 2004 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; two sisters; and son, Fred E. Denler.
She is survived by her daughter, Shirley A. (Louis) Jackson of Peoria; son, Alan R. (Diane) Denler of Hanna City; sister, Ida Mae Tjaden of Roanoke; six grandchildren, Rachel, Jill, Tony, Bradley, Joe and Melissa; and six great grandchildren, Mason, Ethan, Jackson, Mia, Emma and Carmen.
Ethel was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, serving as a Hospital Apprentice First Class. She was honorably discharged on January 17, 1946. She retired as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1970 from Kankakee.
She enjoyed making ceramics; fishing, especially in Wisconsin; traveling; visiting Las Vegas; cooking; and listening to Big Band music. Ethel will be remembered as a very pleasant woman who didn't give up easy.
There will be no visitation and private services will be held, with interment in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Memorial contributions may be made in Ethel's memory to OSF Hospice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria.
