Avalon Mahr Roth

Avalon Mahr Roth, age 86, of Lakeland, Florida, formerly of Kirkwood and Rozetta, passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Savannah Court in Lakeland. She was born in Colchester, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and LaVerne Young Hensley. Avalon was reared and educated in the Colchester area, and graduated from Bushnell High school, attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, and in her 70's she was the oldest graduate of a local business college. She was first married to Bernard Mahr and he preceded her on January 17, 1981. She then married Wilson "Bill" Roth, he also preceded her. Avalon resided in Illinois until 1970 when she and her husband and three youngest daughters moved to Lakeland. She worked in retail sales and retired from JC Penney as a supervisor in the catalog department. Avalon enjoyed playing cards and listening to gospel music. She was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother. Survivors included five daughters Carolyn and Larry Johnson of Viola, Ill., Marilyn and Jack Groves of Pontiac, Ill., Jarilyn and Robert Tuttle of Waynesville, N.C.; Darilyn Cornbee and Fiance Jim Waterson of Lakeland, and Sharilyn Warren of Lakeland, two sons Robert and Janie Mahr of Bushnell, Ill. and Paul Mahr and Fiancee Brenda DeVore of Swansea, Ill., fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband Bernard Mahr and husband Wilson "Bill" Roth and one son David Mahr, two brothers, twin granddaughters, and one great great grandson. Services:A funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2008, at the Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. Interment will be in the Biggsville Cemetery, Biggsville, Illinois. The family will be present on Saturday to receive friends at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A memorial fund is being established for the Rozetta Baptist Church RR 1 Box 67 Little York, Illinois. Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka is in charge of the local arrangements. For more information please visit, www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.