Emily Stearnes

PEKIN ~ Amelia M. "Emily" Stearnes, 92, of 3015 Broadway, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 at the Hopedale Nursing Home.Born Jan. 19, 1918 in Pekin to Stefano and Giulia (Ghiroldi) Sangalli, she married Erric Leon "Butch" Stearnes on Dec. 24, 1946 in Pekin.  He died Jan. 6, 1996 in Pekin.  She also was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Lena Vidic and six brothers, Jack Sangalli, Gene Sangalli, Angelo Sangalli, Steve Sangalli, Geno Sangalli and an infant brother, Angelo Sangalli.Surviving are one son, Leon "Butch" (Margaret) Stearnes of Pekin; two grandchildren, Dr. Jeffrey (Lisa) Stearnes of Papillion, NE and Jill (and her fiancé, Jon Martin) Stearnes of Pekin; three great-grandchildren, Benjamin Stearnes, Katelyn Stearnes and Madeline Stearnes, all of Papillion and one sister, Irene Trapp of Bartonville.  She also leaves one step-daughter, Marva (John) McQuade of Moneta, VA; four step-grandchildren, Shaye, Kelly, Monaye and Brett; five step-great-grandchildren and two step-great-great-grandchildren.Emily worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 35 years in the cafeteria, retiring in 1976.A member of the William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 Ladies Auxiliary in Pekin, Emily was selected as the Gold Star Mother of the Year in 1997, in honor of her brother's passing during combat in Normandy during World War II.  She was a member of Pekin Women of the Moose #673.She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's ball games and functions.  She also enjoyed taking bus trips and making new friends.   She had a love for flowers and spent many hours gardening.She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin and its Council of Catholic Women.Her funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.  Father James Pankiewicz and Deacon Charles D. Murray will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 3, 2010 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where a Christian Wake service will be held at 7 p.m.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School, 300 South 6th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.