She was born on September 13, 1935 in Peoria to James and Mary (Rosa) Wren. She married Ben Albert Elam on October 16, 1954, at the Hanna City Presbyterian Church. He passed away April 21, 2007 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one granddaughter, Megan Elam, one great-granddaughter, Julia Menold, and one brother, James Wren.
Survivors include three children: Craig (Mary) Elam of Peoria, Brian Elam of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Lynette (Mark) Schenk of Quincy, IL. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Michelle, Mallorie, Mackensie, Cooper, Alexandra, Maxwell, Joshua, David, Zachariah, 17 great-grandchildren, two sisters: Lois Reason of Golden, IL, Debbie Mathis of Canton, IL, and one brother, Gerald (Kate) Wren of Mapleton, IL.
Rosemary first worked for several years as a secretary for Hampshire Swine Regestry in Peoria, and was most proud of being a stay-at-home mom raising her children.
She was a lifelong member of the Hanna City Presbyterian Church. While there she was the church secretary, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also very active in her hometown. She was a Cub Scout leader, board member on the Hanna City Park District, and Senior Housing department, and was a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary for the Hanna City Fire Department. Her last act of community service was volunteering at Methodist Hospital, retiring at age 85.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Hanna City Presbyterian Church. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church.
Burial will be in Smithville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Hanna City Presbyterian Church, or the Peoria Christian Center.
Condolences and tributes may be made through the funeral home website at Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com
