Alta L. Manker

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. -- Alta L. Manker, 91, of Griggsville, formerly of New Salem, died Sunday (June 12, 2011) in Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield.

She was born Sept. 30, 1919, in Nebo, a daughter of John and Percie Turnbaugh Stone. She married Ocie Manker Oct. 29, 1935, in Pittsfield, and he preceded her in death in 1985.

Alta worked at Brown's Shoe Factory in Pittsfield for over 30 years before her retirement and was a member of New Salem United Methodist Church. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed playing cards, fishing, crocheting and embroidering. She had a strong love for all her family and was especially blessed to have special caregivers in her nieces and nephews, Homer Allen, Bobbi Chenoweth, and Larry and Ronnie DeSpain.

She is survived by a sister, Clara (husband, Bud) Cawthon of Pittsfield; 15 nephews, Junior, Dick, Ron, Mike, John and David Butler, Larry, Ronnie and Gary DeSpain, Bill, Bob and Tom Cawthon and Bill, Eddie and Rex Stone; nine nieces, Bobbi Chenoweth, Alice Russell, Marcia Gottman, Debbie Galbreath, Cheri Bishop, Terri Miller, Sharon Brooks, Anita Stauffer and Karen Rinker; and several great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Lyndle Stone (surviving wife, Thelma of Jefferson City, Mo.), Carl Stone and William Stone (surviving wife, Kathryn of Hannibal, Mo.); three sisters, Opal Butler, Veda DeSpain and Wilma Kahle; two nieces, Betty Allen (surviving husband, Homer of Griggsville) and Mary Dale English; a nephew, Lee Stone; a great-niece; and a great-nephew.

SERVICES: 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Airsman-Hires Funeral Chapel, Griggsville. Burial will be in Gray Cemetery south of New Salem.

VISITATION: 5 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: New Salem United Methodist Church.

ARRANGEMENTS: Airsman-Hires Funeral Chapel, Griggsville.

WEBSITE: www.airsman-hires.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.