Viola Mae Whobrey's Obituary
Decatur- Viola Mae, Whobrey, 96, of Hammond, IL passed away Friday, September 6, 2013 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
“Mae” was born in Decatur on March 23, 1917, the daughter of John and Viola Ryder.
Earlier in her life, she worked as a Decatur Park Youth Director. She was one of the founding members of the Women’s Auxiliary in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, IL during WWII. She worked at the John’s Green Store downtown Decatur for many years until closing. She also was a waitress several years in Mt. Vernon, IL and Hammond, IL.
Mae enjoyed camping, fishing, county music and bowling.
She leaves behind her sons Paul (Joann) Whobrey of the Villages, FL; Larry (Jane) Whobrey of Morton, IL; Fred (Rae-Lynne) Whobrey of Decatur; and Dan (Ruthann) Whobrey of Savoy; sisters Maxine Auton of Decatur; Marion (Roy) Fosnight of TN; Betty (Harold) Walker of Carlinville, IL; and Irma (Pete) Flanagan of TN; 16 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Paul Whobrey Sr. of Hammond; her parents, five brothers Jack Ryder, Don Ryder, Herb Ryder, Howard Ryder, Jim Ryder, and two sisters Alice (Ryder) Hill, and Lorraine Ryder.
The family wishes to thank the Hammond Café and Yeakley’s Grocery of Hammond for the many years of caring for Mae, and special thanks to the 3rd floor nurses and Nurse Sandy at Symphony of Decatur.
Services to celebrate Mae’s life will be 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home. There will be no visitation prior to the service. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery in Boody, IL. Memorials may be directed to First Methodist Church of Hammond.
The family of Viola Mae Whobrey 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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