Pearl Vantrease

CARBONDALE -- Pearl Aline Vantrease, 95, of Taylorville, formerly of Carbondale, died at 6:35 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2011, in Meadow Manor Nursing Home in Taylorville.

She was born Oct. 28th, 1915, in Bonnie, the daughter of Alva and Emma Dial McCullough.

Mrs. Vantrease worked at Good Luck Glove Co. when she and her family moved to Carbondale from Bonnie in 1931. In 1942, Mrs. Vantrease was crowed "Miss War Bond of Carbondale." This contest was sponsored by local merchants to increase sales of war bonds and stamps. She joined Grace United Methodist Church and was a member until her death.

On April 14, 1947, she married John Carl Vantrease in Murphysboro. The couple lived on a farm at Big Bay. Mr. Vantrease preceded her in death in 1995. Upon Mrs. Vantrease's return to Carbondale, she worked for many years at Tom Mofield's Men's Wear and later Sohn's Men's Wear until her retirement. After retirement, Mrs. Vantrease was a volunteer at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, enjoyed traveling and attending Bonnie Holiness Camp Meeting each summer. In 2008, Mrs. Vantrease moved to Taylorville to be closer to her daughter.

Surviving are her daughter, Linda Sue Ashby (Ernest) of Pawnee; grandchildren, Amanda Ashby (Matt Taitt) of Hurst and Ernie Ashby of Pawnee; and sister, Lucille Pantaleo (Vincent) of Tampa, Fla.; nephews, Joe Pantaleo (Donna) of Sterling Heights, Mich., and Tom Pantaleo (Janet) of Tampa, Fla., and Bruce Pantaleo (Kim) of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Mrs. Vantrease was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Harold Dial, Robert Dial and Harley Dial; and sister, Lura Craig (Waldo).

Cremation services were provided by McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, in Snider Cemetery in Carbondale.

Huffman Harker Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements.