Lucille E. Finke, 95, formerly of Worden, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 with her family by her side.  Born November 19, 1921 to Louis & Emma (Ackerman) Opel.  Lucille was the youngest of seven children.  She was baptized on December 11, 1921 & confirmed in March of 1934, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worden, IL by Pastor H.C. Kothe.

Lucille was married to Harold Finke on March 31, 1940 in Bethalto, Illinois by Pastor Bruegamann.  Harold passed away in November of 2011 after 71 years of marriage.  Their marriage was blessed with nine children.  They are:

  Charles (Terri) Finke – Edwardsville, Illinois

  Gary (Teri) Finke – Noblesville, Indiana

  Janet (Dr. Lee) Johnson – Staunton, Illinois

  William (Beth) Finke – Camdenton, Missouri

  Susan (Harold) Schoen – Grinnell, Iowa

  Cecile (Dr. Max) Harkey – Hartville, Missouri

  Janell (Ron) Hale – Bethalto, Illinois

   Lisa Stevenson – Hamel, Illinois

   Deneen (Kevin) Messer – Worden, Illinois

There are 24 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, & 8 great great grandchildren.

Besides her husband & parents, she was preceded in death by –

1 granddaughter -            Jennifer Hoodjer

1 son-in-law -                     Kevin Stevenson

4 brothers -                        Irwin, Walter, George, & infant Edgar Opel

2 sisters -                             Moneta Hegykozi & Amanda Schwartzkopf

Lucille was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Worden, Illinois & the Trinity Ladies Aid.  She also taught Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran for a number of years.  She was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Worden for over 60 years.  Lucille worked as a meat cutter for Behme’s Market in Worden for a short time but spent most of her lifetime raising her family.  She was an expert quilter and has won many awards for her work.  Each of her children and the 24 grandchildren have received a handmade quilt.  Harold & Lucille also owned & operated the Finke Furniture Store in Worden from 1952 to 1961.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Friday at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, Illinois and from 10 AM until the time of service (11 AM) on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worden, Illinois.  Funeral services at 11 AM on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worden, Illinois, with burial in RoseLawn Memory Gardens – Bethalto, Illinois.  Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church of Worden, Illinois.  

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