Mildred Himmel

PEKIN - Mildred Eloise Himmel, 94, of Pekin passed away at 5:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton.

Born Sept. 23, 1920, in Pekin to William J. and Anna G. (Oltman) Eden, she married Paul Frederick "Fritz" Himmel on June 27, 1943, in Pekin. He died Oct. 10, 2005, in Pekin.

She also was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Vardner J. Eden.

She is survived by three nieces, Norma Anderson of Pekin, VarDeen (the Rev. John) Andrae of Carmel, Ind., and Marcia Thoele of Marco Island, Fla.

Mildred attended Bradley University and was a teacher prior to her marriage to Fritz. She then was a substitute teacher for many years.

Mildred was a devoted member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where she was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Rachel-Sarah Circle. She was a former Sunday school teacher and a Sanctuary Choir member, beginning in the year 1938.

She was a charter member and enjoyed singing with Pekin Civic Chorus. A charter member and past president of Chapter GW of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Mildred was a present member of Chapter OE of P.E.O. She also was a longtime member of the Pekin Hospital Auxiliary, Pekin Women's Club, Tri-S Club at the Pekin Y.W.C.A. and the Friends of the Library.

Mildred and Fritz truly enjoyed traveling and also were supporters of Child Reach for many years.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. today, Nov. 20, 2014, at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. The Rev. Gary L. Ford and the Rev. John L. Andrae will officiate. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, and will also be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. today at the church. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church for the Growing God's Grace Building Fund or for the Music Ministry, 601 N. Fourth St., Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com.