Ethel J. Symon

Ethel J. Symon, 87, of Springfield, passed away at 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Heritage Manor in Carlinville. Ethel was born June 20, 1923 in Edgerton, MN, the daughter of Henry and Alicia Kuhl Van Oort. She married Stow E. Symon on December 2, 1944 in Chicago. He preceded her in death. Ethel was raised in Orange City, IA, where she was Miss Orange City, IA as a teenager. She worked at Chicago Quartermaster Corp. in Chicago during WWII. She met and married Stow E. Symon on December 2, 1944. Stow was an Ensign USN transferring from Atlantic Theatre and D-Day to the Pacific Theatre. She began working for Social Security in 1973 until 1980. She enjoyed traveling the world even in her late 80's. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Delvie Powers. She is survived by two sons, Randolph Stow (wife, Elanys) Symon of Trenton, OH and Phillip Keith (wife, Natalie) Symon of North Royalton, OH; one daughter, Laura (husband, Ron) Koritz of Springfield; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. A memorial gathering will take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. A memorial ceremony will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, with Pastor Jim Poole officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Woodside United Methodist Church, 3519 Sheffield Rd, Springfield, IL 62703 or Alzheimer's Association, 6 Drawbridge Rd., Suite 4, Springfield, IL 62704.