Charlene Annette Musser's Obituary
Decatur, IL – Charlene Annette Musser, 90, of Decatur died at the Imboden Creek Living Center on the evening of Tuesday, September 10, 2013.
Our mother was born on November 9, 1922 near Kinmundy, IL, the only daughter of Henry and Florence Metzger. She was a 1937 graduate of St. James Elementary School. She received her secondary education at Stephen Decatur High School graduating in 1941. She married Everett Lester Musser of Decatur on March 2, 1946.
She had resided for many years at 1420 E. Wood St., but resided for the last few years at the Imboden Creek Center. Her health had been gradually declining in recent years and the dedicated, professional staff at the Center along with her physician Dr. John Newlin had looked after her daily and end of life care. Her health had declined precipitously only in the last week. Her daughter Jeannine with her husband Bill Schultz and her son Alan with his wife Cindy were with their mother when she died.
Her work career began in 1942 at Rath Packing Company in Decatur where she worked until she was married. She then became a homemaker raising a daughter and four sons. She was proud to have seen all her children graduate from high school and one son graduate from college. She worked as a Case Aid for the IL Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) from 1972-1981 using her considerable skills as a homemaker to assist less skilled mothers and families. She was named Homemaker of the Year in 1978 by DCFS for her accomplishments and dedication. From 1981 until her retirement in 1988 she worked as a nurse’s aide in the St. Mary’s Hospital Surgical Department.
Our mother was a dedicated contributing member of the St. Elizabeth Society, the St. James Altar Society, the St. James Temple Tenders and the St. Mary’s Surgery Retirees. As a devout Catholic lady, she was always a dedicated member of St. James Parish.
For someone who lived a very long life it is inevitable that some of her immediate family would be gone before her. Our father and our mother’s former husband, Everett, died in 1988. Her son Gary died in March 2010. Her sister-in-law, Eula Mae Metzger of Oreana, IL died in August of this year – our mother with assistance was able to attend her funeral services. Our mother’s bother Robert M. and his wife Patricia Metzger of Decatur are also both deceased.
Our mother is survived by her daughter Jeannine A. and her husband Charles W. Schultz of Henderson, NV; three sons, Terry L. and his wife Christine Musser of Loami, IL; Alan E. and his wife Cindy Musser of Decatur; and Dale W. and his wife Cheryl Musser of Las Vegas, NV. She is also survived by her brothers Arnold J. Metzger of Oreana, IL; Donald F. and Jerome C. Metzger of Decatur and Tom and his wife Diane Metzger of Sun City West, AZ. Further, our mother is survived by grandsons William J. Schultz of Galesburg, IL; Jeffery A. Schultz of Henderson, NV; Andrew B. and his wife Allison Musser of Champaign, IL and a granddaughter Amanda J. and her husband Kenneth of Ontario, Canada. Our mother’s great grandchildren for whom she had great fondness are Colton, Parker and Teddi Schultz.
We would like to thank the Imboden Center Staff as well as Dr. Newlin for their attention to our mother’s end of like care. They did the very best they could keeping her as comfortable as possible.
Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2013 at St. James Catholic Church at the corner of East Clay St. and South Webster St., Decatur, to be followed by a Funeral Mass. Our mother will be buried next to her son Gary at the International Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Moweaqua, IL after the Mass. Reverend John Burnette of Saint James’ & Saint Patrick’s Parish in Decatur will conduct the service. Our mother desired that flowers be sent to St. James Catholic Church and donations in her name either to St. James Church or the donor’s favorite charity.
The family of Charlene Annette Musser is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL. View the on line obituary, share memories, and send condolences to the family at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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