Lois June Stivers, age 87 of Charleston, Illinois, went to her heavenly home on Monday, August 22, 2011 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Graveside Services held at the Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney, Illinois.

June, as she was affectionately known, was born in Olney, Illinois on June 14, 1924, a daughter of the late Hobart and Agnes (Schmoker) Gardner. She married Louis Stivers, Jr. on August 20, 1947 and for sixty-four years they have shared blessings of family, love and friendship.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Louis of Charleston; two loving sons, Michael L. Stivers and wife Debbie of Bethalto, Illinois and Philip A. Stivers and wife Laurel of Cincinnati, Ohio; two granddaughters, Rebekah Beloungy and husband Brian of Madison, Wisconsin and Sarah Ford and husband Ryan of Cincinnati; two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Stivers of Madison and Elijah Ford of Cincinnati; and one sister, Ruth Kester of Montana, formerly of Olney.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Penny Stivers and a brother-in-law, Walter Kester.

June was a graduate of Olney High School. She and Lou lived in Carlinville, Illinois for forty-one years while raising their family; and, for twenty of those years she was employed in the offices of Prairie Farms Dairy. After moving to Charleston she placed her membership with First Christian Church in Charleston where she has been a devoted and faithful member.

June's artistic ability was evident through her meticulous cross-stitch needlework, her paintings and her knitted creations. She also took great pleasure in tending to her beautiful flower gardens. She and Lou truly enjoyed traveling and sharing the experiences of new and exciting places. June was an extremely kind and pleasant woman who had a genuine smile which warmed your heart. Her role as a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother provided for her many of life's greatest joys. Her presence will be missed and her memory will be lovingly treasured by her family and friends.

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, IL) - Wednesday, August 24, 2011