Wilberta “Willie” Irene Newsum, age 88, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Better Living of Walcott. A visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Weerts Funeral Home; the funeral service will begin at 12:30 p.m. Willie will be laid to rest at Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to MercyOne Genesis Hospice.
Willie was born on December 11, 1936, in Harvey, Illinois, to Wilbert and Josephine (Verhoeven) Strassenberg. She grew up in the Village of Dolton, Illinois and graduated from Thornton Township High School. Willie married the love of her life, Arnold J. Newsum, on October 22, 1955. Together, they shared a devoted marriage and raised three children. Arnold preceded her in death on February 2, 2019.
Willie dedicated many years to being a loving stay-at-home mother before embarking on a career at the Rock Island Arsenal. There, she began as a clerk typist and advanced to a position as a budget analyst, serving diligently for 15 years until her retirement in January 1999.
Music was Willie’s lifelong passion. A talented pianist, she served as a church pianist for over 40 years at three different congregations and was a beloved Sunday school teacher to countless young children. Her music brought joy to many and remained a constant in her life—even through the challenges of dementia, which she bravely faced for nine years.
A woman of quiet strength and deep love, Willie found her greatest joy in family. Her home was the heart of holiday celebrations and birthdays, filled with laughter, card games, dominoes, Scrabble, and warmth. She found simple pleasures in watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, reading, and working on word search puzzles and sudoku.
Even in her final years, Willie’s love of music and fondness for Whitey’s ice cream remained sources of comfort and delight.
Those left to cherish the love she leaves behind include her daughters, Jeri Newsum and Julie (Bob) Herath; grandchildren, Rachel, Sarah, Stephanie, Karisa, Kayla, and Noah; 8 great-grandchildren, and brother, Donald (Judy) Strassenberg.
Willie was preceded in death by her parents, her son, David Newsum, and 2 granddaughters, Kassandra and Kristin.
