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Karen Vreeland Giles

Karen Giles Obituary

HERRIN - Karen (Vreeland) Giles, 52, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007, in Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin, with Jason Stemm officiating. Burial will be in Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at the funeral home.

Karen was a nurse at Herrin Hospital, and had been a registered nurse since 1987.

She attended Central Christian Church in Mount Vernon.

She was born Oct. 26, 1954, in Chicago.

Survivors include her husband, Joseph Giles of Bluford; son, Joseph Perruquet Jr.; daughters and sons-in-law, Christina (Perruquet) and William Caldwell II of Attalla, Ala., Michelle and Michael Meracle Jr. of Herrin and Trisha and Jason Stemm of Mount Vernon; sister, Deborah Swanner of Herrin; grandchildren, Dustin Perruquet Gulley and Christopher Perruquet of Herrin, Xavier Caldwell and Trevon Caldwell of Alabama, Khristion Stemm and Jeremiah Stemm of Mount Vernon and William Meracle, Melissa Meracle, Brandon Meracle and Michael Meracle III, all of Herrin.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rosemary (Cimino) Pitts, and sister, Kathleen Giles.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Southern Illinoisan from Jan. 28 to Jan. 29, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
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Lisa Lyell

February 10, 2007

I'm so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. She was a wonderful person, a great nurse, and a good friend as well. She and I worked together at Herrin Hospital in the 90s and she taught me everything. The patient's all wanted her as their nurse and we nurses loved it when we could work with her. She was so funny, and she always said things exatly the way they were. Her children and grandchildren meant the world to her; my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

LINDA THAYER GIOVANETTI

February 1, 2007

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF KAREN'S PASSING. I WORKED WITH KAREN IN THE EARLY 90'S AT HERRIN HOSPITAL. I WAS SCARED OF HER WHEN I FIRST MET HER. I ENDED UP LOVING TO WORK WITH HER AND WE BECAME FRIENDS. SHE WILL BE MISSED DEARLY. THE FAMILY WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS.

Melinda Vreeland Wheatley

January 31, 2007

Karen and I go way back. I have always thought so much of her. My parents were always pleased when she was on duty at the hospital because they knew they would get great care. I was her daughters stepmother and will always be a part of their lives. We were also fellow nurses. Karen you will be missed by many. now karen you can be free with my mom at peace.

Debbie Mann and family

January 30, 2007

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Karen and I go back many years,our kids were babies. She was a good friend. She will be in our hearts forever.

NANCY fraley

January 29, 2007

Michelle,
i am very sorry about your mother.I know you and my daughter Nancy are friends even though i did not get to know you may god bless you and your family,i am very sorry.

Beth Willis

January 29, 2007

Karen was a co-worker and dear friend to me. She was always there for me. She would give me her brutally honest advice..{loved her for that} She was one of the best nurses there is. She will always be remembered at Herrin Hospital as a legacy, even the new nurses that never had the pleasure of knowing her, know her through the stories the "old ones" still talk about..I will miss her deeply.My heart goes out to her family.

Clara Orr

January 28, 2007

I work at Herrin Hospital, Karen was an excellent nurse

Tina Barclay

January 28, 2007

Karen was a good friend to me years ago. Over the years I have thought of her often and fondly. Karen lived a hard life back then. I hope the years after that were easier and kinder to her. I am so sorry to hear of her passing.

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