Karen Sue Gesell, 72, of Mt. Vernon, IL, passed away at 9:30 a. m. Saturday, August 10, 2013 at her home.
She was born April 16, 1941 to Ray Hill and Wilma (Rethorn) Hill. She married Kenneth G. Gesell in 1959 and he preceded her in death on September 15, 1996. They had two sons and a daughter.
Karen is survived by her three children, Brad Gesell and wife Susan, Mark Gesell and wife Janet, and Brenda Gesell, all of Benton. She was blessed with four grandchildren, Ginnie Sloan Gesell, Samantha Gesell, Justin Gesell and Harrison Taylor and two great-grandsons, Sylas Greyson Foster and Kace Oren Mefford. Additionally, she is survived by two sisters, Francie Smith and husband Paul, Louisville, IL, Connie Pegues, Peoria, IL, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father Ray, and mother Wilma.
Karen graduated from Rend Lake College in 1984 with her Registered Nursing degree. She spent her nursing career at and retired from Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star. Karen loved music and sang in the Homecoming Gospel Choir and the Harmony Roses Chorus in Mt. Vernon, which is the local chapter of the Sweet Adelines International. She loved attending church and spending time with her family and friends. She also had a special love for animals, especially dogs, with her most recent babies being two feisty Rat Terriers, Sofie and Sadie.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p. m. Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Benton with Eastern Star rites at 7:00 p. m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jefferson County Animal Shelter, 107 East Perkins, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864, in memory of Karen Gesell.
Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.
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