Lila Louise Anderson

Born on May 19, 1941 in Pekin to Vernon William and Louise Katherine (Vancil) Harkleroad, she married William C. Anderson on January 12, 1980 in Green Valley. He survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Beth Renfro of Pekin; three stepsons, Perry (Bonnie) Anderson of Peoria Heights, Rick (Jane) Anderson of Metamora and Randy (Heather) Anderson of East Peoria; two stepdaughters, Lorrel (Robin) Armbrust of Ocala, Florida and Beth Elliott of Peoria; fourteen grandchildren, Samantha Vahle, Jessica Vahle, Nicole (Dominic) Camany, Lauren Anderson, Heather (Brenton) Ockberg, Courtney Schneider, Nathan (Kristen) Anderson, Patrick (Nicole) Anderson, Emily (Jake) Rutan, Austin Anderson, Grant (Elizabeth) Anderson, Jacob Armbrust, Brad Elliott and Brian Elliott and sixteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Jonathan Hottell on December 5, 2023; one brother, Vernon David Harkleroad and one sister, Doris Aileen Harkleroad.

Lila was a graduate of Forman High School, where she was proud to have been a prom queen. She pursued her passion for helping others by graduating from St. Francis School of Nursing.

Lila dedicated her life to nursing, starting her career as a Registered Nurse at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, where she worked for many years as a surgical nurse. She later served in the emergency department at Pekin Hospital and concluded her professional career as a home health care nurse for Methodist in Pekin and as an office nurse for Dr. C. William Fisher in Pekin.

Lila was an avid reader and enjoyed flower gardening. She loved cooking, especially for family gatherings, and in her earlier years, she had a passion for dancing, particularly square dancing.

She was a member of St. John’s (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at St. John’s (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley. Pastor Chris Sansom and DCE William Krueger will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow in Sand Prairie Cemetery in rural Green Valley.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church, 13443 Townline Road, Green Valley, IL 61534.

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

Lila's legacy of care and compassion will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.