Lylus Monger

Lylus Rebe Monger, age 96 of Beardstown, died Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Heritage Health in Beardstown.

She was born Jan. 16, 1921 in Albany, MO., daughter of Otha Sylvester Farthing and Opal Arvel (Wayman) Farthing. She married James William Monger on July 20, 1940 in Albany, MO., and he preceded her in death on May 20, 1964. She was then left to raise their 4 children by herself, which she did with great strength and dignity. She was also preceded by her parents, her daughter, Leta Kathryn Farwell in 2006, a grandson, Larry Neil Farwell in 1989, her sister, Charity Marie Ward of Swaledale, Iowa in 2013; and her brother, Otha Arvel Farthing in 1980.

Surviving are three children: Marge Shaw (husband Garry) and Fred Monger (wife Marsha) of Beardstown, and Teresa Fischer (husband Allen) of rural Arenzville. 10 Grandchildren: Jim Farwell (wife Tammy) of Havana, Don Farwell (wife Sandy) of Farmington, Jeremy Shaw (wife Holly) of Rushville, Jason Shaw and Barbara Smith of Springfield, Michael Hood (wife Connie) of Macomb, Mi., Carrie Carls (husband Nathan) and Shawn Monger (wife Amy), both of Beardstown, and Bethany Fischer and Joshua Fischer of rural Arenzville. 20 Great Grandchildren: Parker, Isaiah, Dominic, Wyatt, Piper, Kolby, Tylor, Cale, Noah, Alyssa, Daniel, Sean, Britney, Alex,Thea, Cassi, Sha, Angie, Otis, and Molly. 8 Great Great Grandchildren: Mahala, Alaina, Boone, Fenton, Adelaide, Jacob, Max and Grant. Also surviving are numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Albany High School in Albany, MO, as Valedictorian of the Class of 1939. She worked for a lawyer in Albany, MO. for a number of years. After her marriage to Jim, all four of their children were born in Albany, MO.

When their children were still quite young, her husband was transferred to Beardstown, IL. with the CB&Q Railroad. After Jim died, she worked briefly at Looman Appliances in Beardstown, and then started her career at DeSollar Insurance Agency in Beardstown in October of 1965, as a Customer Service Representative where she worked for 28 years, retiring at age 72 in 1993.

She was active in PTA and was a 4-H leader when her children were young, and was a member of the BPW Club for many years. She enjoyed bowling in her younger years, and going to a good yard sale. Later on, she took up painting ceramics, with a special delight in painting steins, and particularly enjoyed displaying her large collection of steins at WIU in Macomb in Nov of 1994. She enjoyed preparing big family meals, delighted in cooking and baking, and was known especially for her rhubarb pie, peanut butter fudge, and her holiday meal of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and noodles.

Even as she was older, she took great pride and delight in attending the school and sporting events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even into her 80's, she also greatly enjoyed her computer, e-mailing family and friends, gathering and printing a family recipe book, and printing genealogy books and family pictures; she even made her own Facebook page by herself at age 88. She enjoyed watching TV, her favorites being the St. Louis Cardinals, her soap operas, and detective shows.She also enjoyed reading mystery books and collecting knick-knacks with redbirds on them. Her greatest joy, though, was spending time with her family when they were all gathered at her house.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, March 20, 2017 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown with Reverend Scott Egbers officiating. Burial will be in the Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 5-7 PM Sunday at the memorial home.
Memorials have been suggested to Heritage Health Activity Fund or Beardstown Shop With A Cop.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com.