Alliegene (Hungate) Dudley died Friday, September 16, 2016, at Helia Healthcare in Benton. She was 98, or as she would have put it, “almost 99”; she would have been 99 on October 15, so we will let her get away with that. Her passing was gentle and peace-filled, with her daughter and daughter-in-law beside her, which was exactly how she wished – nay, demanded – it.
Alliegene was born in Benton to the late Bessie (Corn) and Roy Hungate. She was a 1935 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School. Her first job out of high school was as a seamstress at the Immediate Cleaners, which was the beginning of a lifetime of talented sewing; during World War II she worked for the Franklin County Selective Service office. Sometime during this period she took flying lessons at the Benton airport, and earned her pilot’s license. After the war, she moved to California, living in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and eventually Mill Valley, where she resided for over 30 years. She worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, until the birth of her only child, when she devoted herself wholeheartedly to making a wonderful home and life for her sometimes wayward offspring. Her 1953 marriage to Raymond E. Dudley ended in divorce after 31 years, through no fault of her own. She returned to Benton in 1984. She had a great interest in genealogy, and was active in the Hungate Family Historical Society, an international organization. She took courses at Rend Lake College; she sewed, quilted and gardened; she was active in the Benton Garden Club; and in recent years, she attended the First Christian Church.
Alliegene was predeceased by her parents Roy and Bessie (Corn) Hungate, and her brothers Harold Hungate (the late Helen) and Billy Hungate (Christine). She is survived and deeply mourned by her daughter Deana Dudley and daughter-in-law Janet Fitzsimmons. Also surviving are six step-children from her marriage, Hazel Jones (the late Dick), Donna Elder (Ray), Eugene Dudley (Rita), John Dudley (Rita), Estella Lenhart (Chuck), and Lee Dudley (Anne). She had 21 grandchildren, and somewhere upwards of 44 great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by devoted nieces and nephews, Jack Hungate (Nora), Jane Allen (Ray), Patricia Hungate, Debbie Harshany, Michael Hungate and Becky Kalb (Tim.)
She was also survived by many friends who will miss her, especially Georgene McCarty and Cindy Britton, who have been the absolute epitome of Christian lovingkindness to Alliegene and her family for many years. We are very grateful. Mom would also want us to thank the girls she called her “angels” – all of the nurses, CNAs, and staff at Helia Healthcare, and Heritage Woods, who took such wonderful care of her. They will all remember her good nature and sweet smile.
Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 23, 2016, at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 12:30 p.m., at the First Christian Church, 302 S. Main St., Benton, IL, with Rev. Kurt Sanders, officiating services.
Graveside Services will be held Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 2:30 p.m., at Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL, with Rev. Warren Schell officiating services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 302 South Main St., Benton, IL 62812 or to the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, 115 Simpson Ave., Toranto, ON, M4K 1A1, Canada.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
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