OBITUARY – TONA O. (STRUBLE) GERMAN – BENTON

Tona O. (Struble) German, 93, passed away Saturday afternoon, January 5, 2013 at Southview Acres in St. Paul, MN.

Mrs. German was born on February 5, 1919, in Macedonia, IL, a daughter of Harry and Iva (Wilson) Struble.  At the age of 13 she professed faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized in a pond in January.  She married Henry E. German, Sr. on April 7, 1935 and he preceded her in death on January 29, 1956.  God blessed their union with eight children, two preceded her in death in infancy, Thomas Roland and Donald Gale.  The oldest son, Henry German Jr. also preceded his mother in death on April 18, 2005.

Her surviving family includes four daughters, Joyce J. (John) Conner, Watseka, IL, T. Roberta Vietti, St. Paul, MN, Maureen E. Rice, Benton, IL, Sandra L. Zippe, Rockford, IL, one son, David A. German, Rockford, IL, one daughter-in-law Carol German, Watseka, IL, one sister Faye (Sam) Kraft, Benton, IL, one borther Charles (Bette) Struble, Watseka, IL, 14 grandchildren who dearly loved her, Tim German, Patrick (Monique) German, Michael German, Joelle (Paul) Nelson, Jonica (Wade) Suver, Janessa Conner, Tony (Brenda) Vietti, Peter (Rosana) Vietti, Joy (Glen) Langenberg, Elisabeth (Pete) Fung, Daniel (Rosslind) Rice, Shante’ King, Mathew Zippe, David German II, and 26 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and some very good friends.

Mrs. German was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sons, one son-in-law Douglas Rice, two sisters, Idalia (Cecil) Briley, Rachel (Roscoe) Smith, one brother Raleigh (Velta) Struble and her grandparents Thomas and Cora Wilson, with whom she spent many happy summers growing up.  No doubt she will be greeted in Heaven by these and an abundance of precious friends who have gone on before.  What a happy reunion.

Tona was a longtime member of North Benton Baptist Church and taught Sunday School there for more than 20 years.  She was owner and operator of Tona’s Beauty Shop in Benton for 37 years.  Besides studying the Bible, Tona enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, puzzles, the Chicago Cubs, and spending happy times with her children, grandchildren and great-grandbabies. She was adored by children and known for her sweet, gentle spirit and sacrificial love for her beloved family and friends.

Visitation will be at Immanuel Baptist Church, 516 North Main Street, Benton, IL, on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 12 noon until 1 p.m.  Memorial services will be held immediately following the visitation at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.  Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, IL is in charge of arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to Carmi Baptist Children’s Home, 949 County Road 1300 N, Carmi, IL 62812 or to North Benton Baptist Church.

As a final word, the precious Christian lady would want to sing these words from the old hymn, “God will take care of you, through everyday, ore all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.”  And He will! And God Bless You.