Wilma Lilly, 86, of Mattoon, Illinois, formerly of Beecher City, passed away on March 20, 2016. She was born June 6, 1929 in Loudon Township, Fayette County, the youngest daughter of Levi and Iva (Kline) Tipsword. Mrs. Lilly attended the Beecher City schools and graduated as valedictorian in 1947. She married Duane Lilly on July 19, 1947, and settled on a small farm near Beecher City. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before his death on September 5, 2007. To this union, three sons were born: Brockton and Lemuel of Beecher City and Larry of Mattoon.
Mrs. Lilly devoted her life on the family farm as bookkeeper, cook, and all around helper. She was active in politics, served many years as an election judge, and supported candidates that shared her political views. She was co-leader of the Holland 4-H Club and served as secretary of the 4-H Fair and Homecoming. She was a member of the Beecher City School Board Advisory Committee, helped organize the Booster Club, and served as its first president. She was a faithful supporter of the Beecher City Alumni Association and co-chaired the reunion for several years. Recently, she mentored students at Riddle Elementary School in Mattoon. Mrs. Lilly loved sports and coached youth baseball teams for several years. She was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and rarely missed a game. She was a long-time fan of the Beecher City Eagles proudly supporting her son Lemuel’s championship basketball teams and son Larry’s state runner-up baseball team. In her later years, she cheered her grandson Alex’s Mattoon Green Wave and Post 88 baseball teams. She knew the sacrifice of war and had a special place in her heart for our nations’ veterans. She was the admiring daughter of a World War I combat soldier, the loving wife of a World War II combat Marine, and the proud mother of a Vietnam combat Marine.
Mrs. Lilly is survived by her three sons and 18 grandchildren: the children of Brock Lilly and Debra Lilly are James, Nathanial, Heather and Ian; the children of Lemuel Lilly and Melody Lilly are Justin, Kaleb, Cainan, Warren, and Natasha; the children of Lemuel Lilly and Kathy Lilly are Zebadiah, Lucas, Jessica, Cole, and Griffin; the children of Larry and Roxanne Lilly are Angela, Kristin, Briena, and Alex. Also surviving are 35 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Eileen Barr and Imelda Robertson, grandson Ben, and great-granddaughter Lakota.
Visitation is at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Funeral services are at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Beecher City at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016 with burial immediately following at Springhill Cemetery.
Memorials are greatly appreciated and may be made to the Beecher City Veterans’ Memorial Wall or the Mattoon American Legion Post 88 Baseball Club.
On-line condolences may be left at www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com
