On April 25, 2006, at 3:40 p.m. Idabell Rightnowar of Mt. Vernon began her eternal life in paradise.

She was born November 2, 1924 in Waltonville the third daughter of Walton and Elsie Newell Hodge.

Idabell grew up in Waltonville and married her high school sweetheart Orval F. (Dude) Rightnowar on April 3, 1943, in Saint Louis, MO; he preceded her in death March 10, 1998.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, with the Mr. James Philip Newell officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Mrs. Rightnowar was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Church Women United, Jefferson County Home Extension- Happy Homemakers Unit and Little Egypt Roadrunners Camping Club. Idabell often volunteered in various capacities and worked with her husband in Rightnowar's TV Tower Business, as an election judge, in the county treasurer's office and as a salesperson for Sarah Coventry Jewelry.

Mrs. Rightnowar is survived by one son, Marvin Rightnowar and wife Anna of Waltonville; one daughter, Frances Ann and husband Joe Atkinson of Phoenix, AZ; one sister, Selma Walters of Mt. Vernon; six grandsons Scott Rightnowar and wife Julie, Bradley Rightnowar and wife Verna, Blake, Grant, Matt and Luke Atkinson; two great grandsons Evan and Drew Rightnowar; three great granddaughters Gracie, Emma, and Ella Rightnowar; nieces and one nephew and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Melba Shurtz and Eleanor Hodge.

Idabell brought sunshine to all she met. Her life was a blessing to many and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Newell Funeral Home, 2707 North Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. For more information call Newell Funeral Home at 246-0100 or visit online at www.newellfuneralhome.com for on-line obituary and on-line condolences.

Source: Register-News
Date: April 29, 2006
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman