Inva Strong

Inva D. Strong, 101, of Lacon, IL passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born on September 4, 1914 in Princeville, IL to Alfred and Nora Strong, and had lived her entire life in the family home in Lacon.

Inva was preceded in death by 6 brothers, Gerald "Mutt", Harlan "Hoddy , Orville "Barney", Donald, Carl and Morse Strong, and 3 sisters, Helen Kelly, Rosemary Strong, and Lavina Hodge Vincent.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Phyllis Strong, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, all whom affectionately knew her as "Mimi." She loved all children and enjoyed sharing stories with the children of her family and friends.

When her brothers went off to war, she went to work at the Lacon Woolen Mills, teaching others the art of reweaving. During the years that followed she opened two restaurants in the Lacon community, and also served on the Marshall County Board of Review for over 20 years. Buying and renovating houses for resale for many years, she was ahead of her time, "flipping homes" before it became a popular TV series. She was a member of the Lacon Congregational Church.

In her younger days, Inva and her friends loved to pack a lunch and drive to the horse races at Arlington Park in Chicago. Playing Bingo was a favorite pastime in later years. She loved to shop and never missed an opportunity in bygone years to take her nieces and nephews on the bus to Peoria or on the Rock Island train to shop in Chicago. Although her memory was fading, she could tell you who had lived in every house in Lacon in her day. When asked the secret to living one hundred years she always reported one should keep busy and have a little bacon and chocolate every day.

Graveside services will be held at the Lacon Cemetery on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Ross Wyman officiating. Memorials may be made to her church, Lacon Congregational, where a luncheon will be served following the service.