Ethel was born December 21, 1928, in Redmon, Illinois, the daughter of Samuel R. and Nellie R. Osborn Bates. She married Walter H. Land on July 27, 1969, in Chadwick, Illinois. He preceded her in death on March 19, 1976.
She is survived by one brother; Sim (Virginia) Bates of Roanoke; 3 children; Gerald (Ruth) Nichols of Gridley; Kathy (Larry) Gordon of Heyworth; Debra (Tim) Giesel of McLean. Seven grandchildren, Tami (David) Rossbach of Normal; Kathryn (Daniel) Wallem of Atlanta; Hillary (Nathan) Leach of McLean; Amy (Darren) Winters of Bloomington; Kim Nichols of Lowell, MA; Daniel (Regina) Nichols of Tulsa, OK; and Lori (Johnny) McCarthy of Lincoln; NE. 11 great-grandchildren, Michael Rossbach and Marissa Rossbach, both of Normal; Decker Wallem of Atlanta; Charley Leach and Anderson Leach of McLean; April Winters and Matthew Winters, both of Bloomington; Hannah (Michael) Christopherson and Chloe Magnon, both of Tulsa, OK and Owen McCarthy of Lincoln, NE; one great-great-grandchild, Ronan Christopherson of Tulsa, OK; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, six sisters, and a great-grandson.
Ethel graduated from Bloomington High School, Class of 1946, as a member of the National Honor's Society. She enjoyed careers at Country Companies Insurance and Champion Federal Savings and Loan. She loved traveling, playing golf, walking laps at the mall, playing bridge and sharing a cup of coffee with friends. She especially loved taking vacations and spending time with her family.
A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2018 at East Lawn Funeral Home in Bloomington. Pastor Keith Ferguson will officiate. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Per Ethel’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial contributions may be made to EasterSeals Central IL.
She will be dearly missed by her family.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at eastlawn-bloomington.com.
