Ersel D. Ishmael, 91, of Morton, passed away at 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2010, at Morton Terrace Care Center.
Ersel was born on June 20, 1918 in Manito, a daughter of Gottleib and Opal (Grady) Fritz, Sr. She married Aaron “Boyd” Ishmael on June 21, 1941 in Pekin. He survives.
She is also survived by her daughter, E. Marie Johnson of Bartonville; son, Robert B. (Lu-Ann) Ishmael of Coal City; four grandchildren; four great grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Helen and Elsie; brothers, William, Harold and Gottleib, Jr.; and son-in-law, Stuart Johnson.
Ersel was a homemaker and was active in the Naomi Fellowship at the East Peoria First United Methodist Church, where she was a member and also formerly taught Sunday School.
She enjoyed crafts, sewing, gardening, reading and cooking. She loved wintering in Brownsville, Texas, until recent years.
Ersel had an amazing devotion to her family and her church. She enjoyed over sixty-eight years of marriage with her husband and loved her children, grandchildren and great grandsons dearly.
Her favorite times were spent at family events and especially the holidays. She will be remembered as a quiet and reserved woman, who offered great concern for her family and for her church.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at the East Peoria First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mary Arnold officiating. Visitation will be one-hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Smithville Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be her son, Robert B. Ishmael; grandsons, Craig Ishmael and Trevor Johnson; great grandson, Nicholas Johnson; and family friends, Ralph Linder and Howard Goodyear.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ersel’s memory to the East Peoria First United Methodist Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria.
