Sylvia Minnie Dust

Sylvia Minnie Dust, 85, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at StoneBridge Senior Living in Effingham.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Loy Cemetery in Heartville. Visitation will be held from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Loy Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Sylvia was born on September 12, 1939, in Onarga, IL, the daughter of Samuel and Irene (Cothern) Townsend. She married Anthony W. "Tony" Dust Jr. on June 30, 1958. He preceded her in death on May 24, 2023 after almost 65 years of marriage. They were parents of five children.
Sylvia owned and operated Dust's Quilt Shop and was a master crocheter and machine quilter, even having her own signature quilting style. She was a dedicated wife and was often seen running the backhoe or a tractor helping on the farm alongside her husband. Sylvia always was a strong supporter of her children and encouraged them in all of their ventures. She was very involved in 4-H, the Effingham County Fair, and Home Extension. Sylvia was a past election judge and treasurer of the Loy Cemetery Association. In her retirement, she was an avid gardener and queen of the hummingbirds.
Sylvia is survived by her children, Bill Dust (Debbie) of Edwardsville, Rose Pavano (Gerardo) of Effingham, Don Dust of Effingham, Kathi Dust-See of Centralia, and Star Slane (Mike) of Effingham; 8 grandchildren, Anthony Dust IV (Maggie), Elizabeth Pruemer (Trevor), Jenna Walls (Tyler), Jillian Miller (Cory), Blake Dust, Heather Macke (Logan), John See, and Isaac See; 8 great-grandchildren; brothers, Walt (Jan) Townsend and Tom (Janet) Townsend; sister-in-law, Robin Townsend; and brother-in-law, Bill Arnold.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tony; and siblings, Ronald (Lenora) Townsend, Sam "Duke" Townsend, Lola Arnold, and Rosalie (Gene) Warner.