Elsie Mae Anderson

Elsie Mae Anderson, 96, of Altona, Ill., died Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at 12:40 a.m. at the Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Ill. She was born on Aug. 24, 1912, in Chilhowie the daughter of Robert and Minnie I. Widener Martin. She married Ralph Newell Anderson on Dec. 7, 1931 in Clinchburg. He preceded her in death on Oct. 3, 1980. She was preceded in death by parents, one son, Gary Anderson, six brothers, one sister, two half-sisters, one stepbrother and one great-grandson, Christopher Todd. She was raised and educated in Chilhowie. She was a homemaker and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altona, Ill. where she and her husband were formerly custodians for more than 20 years. She was active in the War Mothers of World War II and Mary Martha's Group. Survivors include daughters Rita (Jim) Clevenger of Henderson, Ill., Kathy Todd of Batesville, Miss., Susie (Tony) Miller of Galesburg, Ill.; sons Ralph D. (Marcella) Anderson of Wyanet, Ill., Robert (Sandy) Anderson of Escondido, Calif., R. Douglas (Marcia) Anderson of Galva, Ill., and K. Marty Anderson of Galesburg, Ill; 23 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; seven great- great grandchildren; a half-sister, Aileen Russell of Marion; stepsister Mabel Martin of Chilhowie; and stepbrother, Eugene Blevins of Chilhowie.   Funeral services were conducted Oct. 13 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altona, Ill., with the Rev. Tim Anderson officiating. Visitation was conducted Oct. 12 at Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home in Oneida, Ill. Burial followed in Rosedale Cemetery in Cambridge, Ill. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altona. Online condolences may be made at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com Hurn Hendricks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.