Ruth G. Body, 83, of Mt. Vernon, died at 8:59 p.m. Nov. 25, 2004, at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital.

She was born March 15, 1921, in Clinton County to Elmer G. and Grace (Quick) Johnson.

She married Clarence W. Body on Aug. 18, 1951 in Centralia. He died Nov. 11, 1973.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, with burial to follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in Centralia. The Rev. David Eadie and the Rev. Billy Hahs will officiate.

Visitation will be between 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at First United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in Centralia.

Mrs. Body earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois. She retired as a school teacher after working as a home economics instructor for 38 years at Webber High School in Bluford, Olney High School and Mt. Vernon Township High School.

She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Strothman and husband Kurt of Mt. Vernon, Becky Deaton and husband Bill of Mt. Vernon, Cindy Vincent of Woodlawn and Holly Hunt and husband Bernie of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Heather Taylor and husband Jeff of Lexington, Ky., Rob Strothman and wife Jessica of Mt. Vernon, Pat Strothman of Mt. Vernon, J. Paul Deaton of Mt. Vernon, Mark Deaton of Mt. Vernon, Scott Deaton of Mt. Vernon, Christy Cerminn and husband Matt of Columbia, Ill., Courtney Vincent of Woodlawn, Oliver and Molly Hunt of Austin, Texas; and great grandchildren, Callie and Karsten Taylor, of Lexington, Ky., and Preston Strothman of Murray, Ky.

Her parents, husband and two brothers preceded her in death.

Mrs. Body was a member of First United Methodist Church, Jefferson County Home Extension, Marth Circle at First United Methodist Church and the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, the United Way or the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

For more obituary information, call Hughey Funeral Home at 242-3348 at any time.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: November 28, 2004
Submitted by: Kiowana Hayes Ferguson