Evelyn Pinkham

She was born on April 14, 1922 in Utica, Montana, to Carl F. and Elsie May (Lyon) Harder. She married George A. Pinkham on December 15, 1951 in Peoria. He preceded her in death on August 22, 1978 in Peoria. Her parents and one sister, Helen Harder also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her four children, Patsy A. (Robert) Spitz of Dunlap, Craig S. Pinkham of Pekin, Mary K. Harting of Peoria and Christine L. (Larry) Gottman of Pekin. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Tracy Latonna, Laura Harting, Tim (Sara) Gottman and Matt Gottman, and one sister, Mary Ruth (George) Mach of San Luis Obispo, CA.

Evelyn graduated from nursing school in 1945 and worked at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria for over 37 years retiring in 1982. In her retirement she loved to travel extensively. She would spend part of each year with her sister in California and saw all of the Hawaiian Islands and walked on a glacier. She will be fondly remembered as a wonderful seamstress who had sewn two complete wedding dresses and many party dresses through the years. A highlight of each year was when her sister and brother-in-law drove from California to spend time with her. She will be remembered as a very loving and generous grandmother by her grandchildren. All who knew her will remember her love of birds, especially cardinals.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 10:00 am, with visitation half an hour prior to the service at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton in Peoria. The Pastor Dave Craig will officiate. Burial will follow the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Peoria.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit Evelyn’s story at www.woolsey-wilton.com.