Ellen R. Hanna

Ellen R. Hanna of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at 7:23 am at Monmouth Nursing Home on January 1, 2011. Ellen was born October 13, 1911 in the Rhinehart family farm home in Hale Township of Warren County. She is the daughter of Charles and Bessie Walker Rhinehart. She graduated from Kirkwood High School and Monmouth College receiving a Bachelors of Arts degree in both Mathematics and Latin, then received her Masters degree in education from Colorado State University. She was married to Ross E. Hanna on September 4, 1941 in Kirkwood, Illinois and he passed away July 26, 1969. Ellen taught grade school for ten years at South Henderson, Rozetta, Oquawka, and Arnzville Illinois and in later years did substitute teaching. She served on the first Yorkwood District 225 Board of Education. Ellen also was an active farm wife and Angus Cattle producer with her husband and continued to farm after his death. She was active in the Illinois Angus Auxiliary. She was a member and taught Sunday school at the Kirkwood United Presbyterian Church until her marriage, then the Fall Creek United Methodist Church. She is now a member of Little Cedar Presbyterian Church. Ellen served as President of the Central Illinois United Methodist Women and Vice President of Galesburg District WSCS. She served on and as the recording secretary of the Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church. She also served as Dean and registrar for the School of Christian Missions. Ellen was a member and past president of the Louise McVey Home Bureau unit. She then became County President, District Director, and then 2nd Vice President at the State Level. She participated in several National meetings. She is yet a member of the Tompkins Sunshine unit. Ellen also was a member and Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, member of the White Shrine, and member of P.E.O. Her hobbies included reading, crochet, meetings, cooking, and being with her family. She is survived by one son Ed (Nancy) Hanna of Rock Island, Illinois and one daughter Sarah (Dennis) Allaman of Monmouth, Illinois, three granddaughters, four grandsons, thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Preceding Ellen in death are her parents, husband, and brother David. Services:A funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Thursday morning at Turnbull Funeral Home Monmouth with interment in the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery. Her family plans to receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A memorial fund is being established for the Higher Education Fund of the Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, Illinois.