Grace Oliver, 91 took the first flight of her lifetime, she went home to be with Jesus on April 21, 2015 at 1:15 AM. Grace was born March 4, 1924 to George and Amy (Hall) Bradley in Corinth Township. She married William “ Shorty “ Oliver on Sept. 27, 1942 in St. Charles, MO. Together they enjoyed 66 wonderful years of marriage. He preceded her in death in 2008.
Grace was very active in her church and one of her favorite places to go was to Camp Meeting every year. She was very talented & artistic. She played piano, organ and accordion. When she taught Sunday School Classes her favorite group was “Junior Boys” She was an awesome cook, cake decorator, great seamstress and made many beautiful quilts & afghans for her children and grandchildren. She embroidered & crocheted and did oil paintings. She loved to camp and was an avid fisherman & everyone loved to eat her fish. One of her greatest joys was to prepare a big meal for family or friends and have them enjoy it and compliment her on her cooking.
She never met a stranger, whether it was in a restaurant, dr’s office,or anywhere she went she always met someone she knew and if not she knew them by the time she left. It’s been amazing the past few months to find out how many people loved her. We’ve had nurses, caregivers, neighbors, therapists and Nursing home staff to say “Oh you’re Grace Olivers family, she is the sweetest thing, we just love her to death”. I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about her.
She is survived by her children, Mary Simmons of Kennesaw, GA , Ed Oliver of Lake of Egypt, & Joe Oliver of Herrin, 1 brother Ronald (Linda) Bradley of Galatia,& 2 sisters, Iva Stephenson of Galatia & Karen (Calvin) Ostercamp of Harrisburg. She also left behind 7 grandchildren, Teresa (Mike) Minnick of Dallas, GA, Ray (Annie) McKane of Galatia, David Bradley of Galatia, Brent (Jennifer) Oliver of Herrin, Jennifer (Steve) Pritchett of Goreville, Laura Oliver of West Frankfort. and Anthony Costellia of Las Vegas, NV. Eleven great-grandchildren, Preston (Jennifer) Capogreco of Herrin, Anthony and Matthew Minnick of Dallas, GA, Jeramy (Pam) McKane and Angel Prince of West Franfort, Michael and Trystan Oliver of Herrin, Taylor (Tyler) Vaughn of Herrin and Ayden & Gaige Oliver of West. Frankfort her namesake great grandaughter Mentora Ann McKane of Olney and 2 specially chosen great grandkids Lexi and Tyler Pritchett of Goreville . She was also blessed with 4 beautiful great great grandchildren, Mason & Greg McKane, and Braxton Vaughn and his sister Olivia . She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and 2 daughters, Gracie Ann Oliver and Regina Kay Costellia, 1 granddaughter Lisa Lerch and 1 great granddaughter Carla Prince.
Funeral services will be Saturday April 25, 2015, at 1:00 PM at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin with the Rev. Adam Mach and Rev. Shannon Perry officiating. Burial will follow at Coal Bank Springs Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be 11 am until time of service Saturday at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin.
Memorial Contributors may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to Pentecostals of Southern Illinois Church in Carterville and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home/ 201 S. Park Ave/ Herrin, IL 62948. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.