Ila “Dean” Strothers, 93, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Oakview Heights Continuous Care and Rehab in Mt. Carmel.
Dean was born October 3, 1926 in Clay County, Tennessee, the daughter of Erby and Margaret (Rayborn) Franklin. She married Ernest “Bo” Strothers in Mt. Carmel on January 11, 1946. They were married forty-two years before his passing on September 23, 1988.
She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene for eighty-three years. After their closing she attended the Community Church of God in Mt. Carmel. In addition to raising six children Dean also worked twenty-six years at Mt. Carmel Apparel and was the custodian at First Baptist Church.
Dean loved to travel and explore the United States. She especially enjoyed “Sisters Day” which was every Monday. She will be remembered as a funny, stubborn and spunky lady. She had a soft spot for kids, she always welcomed them calling her Grandma! Dean always wanted to make people smile!
Those left to cherish her memory include her children David Strothers and his wife Lyn of Mt. Carmel, Ann Bosecker of Mt. Carmel, Kris and her husband Ken Biggs of New Albany, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Aaron) Berberich, Cindy Bottles, Eric (Amanda) Strothers, Amy Hollen, Kristen (Daniel) Lanoue, Kelsey Biggs and Mandi (Chris) Robb; fourteen great grandchildren, Taylor and Loren, Stella and Henry, Becky (Hunter), Keri, and Bo, Cheyenne, Aspen, Rylee, and Killian, Emily, Peyton and Brandon; one great great grandchild, Willow; sisters Wilma Williams and Judy (Harold) Williams; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dean was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Loretta Sue Case; sons, John Ernest Strothers, Richard Lee Strothers; brother, Gilbert Allen Franklin; sister Barbara Deisher; and son-in-law Randy Bosecker.
There will be a Graveside Service on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Mt. Carmel. The service will be open to family and friends.
As with her planning, Dean and the family request donations in her memory be made to Community Church of God General Fund. Donations can be made online or at the graveside service.
Dean’s family want to extend a special Thank You to the staff at Acorn Estates and Oakview Heights for the exceptional care they provided her.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Strothers family.
