Willowdean F. Stone

Born on May 29, 1927 to Howard and Mable (Baker) Ferrill in Murphysboro, Illinois, she married Lawrence E. (Larry) Stone on December 31, 1948 in Carbondale, Illinois.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Julia A. (Dr. Dean) Albertson; her grandchildren, Gwendolyn L. (Dr. Jonathan) Miller, James W. (Melissa) Buchanan, Elizabeth J. (Amy Lawler) Buchanan, Addison F. Stone-Yeck, and Katherine Rose (Jason) Sheehan; her son-in-law, John F. Yeck (Melissa Cohen); and great-grandchildren, Madeleine E. Miller, Willa F. Buchanan, Maya S. Montalbano, and Fynn J. Sheehan and one sister, Shirley Griggs.

She was preceded in death by her husband on May 7, 2019, her parents, her brother, Howard Ferrill and a daughter, Susan Diane Stone.

Willowdean graduated from City Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis, Missouri as a United States Cadet Nurse in 1947. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees at Bradley University. She was a registered nurse/educator for 40 years including 12 years at Pekin Hospital and 25 years OSF Medical Center and School of Nursing.

Willowdean exhibited tenacity, determination and grit. She paved the way for working mothers, raising her two daughters while also advancing her nursing achievements, earning advanced degrees and being an active member in her community. Willowdean was a feminist, and she always said that she was disappointed that she wouldn’t live to see a woman president. She was an advocate for all people, and progressive in her politics.

She was a member of American Nurses Association and was active in District Seventh Illinois Nurses Association including President.

She was a member of Altrusa International of Pekin since 1968. She served as president and other offices. She was a member and past president of Chapter LM of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and Y-Reserves.

The YMCA gave her an award for Community Activities, where she and Larry swam every morning for many years. She served as Grand Marshal of the Pekin Marigold Festival and Parade in 2009.

She was president of Church Women United and was rewarded as Valiant Woman for her efforts. She was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School for fifty years, served as Chair of Mission Committee, active in United Methodist Women serving several offices including being president and being awarded the Mission Award. She was active in the Rachel Sarah Circle. She became a certified Lay Speaker of the United Methodist Church.

Later in life, Willowdean lived at Pekin Estates where she spent precious time with lifelong friends. There she enjoyed domino nights, Bingo, multiple bridge clubs and Silver Sneakers.

Since 2018, Willowdean lived at Ridgeview Place where she was crowned Queen two times. She enjoyed being closer to family which included weekly family meals and get-togethers. She was an avid walker, greeting friends and neighbors in the hallways while achieving her step goals. She attended Salem Lutheran Church in Saint Cloud and was in an intergenerational book club.

She loved her family, friends, church, and the nursing profession. She loved to be with people, playing and winning games and was a prolific reader. She enjoyed traveling to several countries and vacations with grandchildren.

Celebration of Willowdean’s life will take place in two communities: A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory. Her funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2025 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin. A memorial service will then be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Ridgeview Place Assisted Living facility at Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.

Memorials are preferred instead of flowers, and can be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, 601 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to the loving, caring staff at Ridgeview Place in Sauk Rapids.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com