Loretta Strong

Loretta Strong, age 86, of Monmouth, Ill. passed away at 4:50 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2009, at the OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth. Loretta was born on April 14, 1922, in Kirkwood, Ill., the daughter of Charles J. and Mary Jane Daughman Sward. She was raised in Kirkwood and graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1940. Loretta married Russell K. Strong on October 1, 1950, in Kirkwood. He preceded her in death on June 5, 1996. Loretta first worked as a bookkeeper at Bankers Life and then Gambles. At Central Feed and Produce in Kirkwood, she worked both as a bookkeeper and salesperson. Lastly Loretta worked as a bookkeeper at Dee Harrison Ford and City Ford in Monmouth. Loretta was a founding board member of Jamieson Community Center in Monmouth, a member of D.A.R., Westminster Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood, Red Hat Society, the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and the Friendship Rebekah #22. Loretta loved to sew and crochet and enjoyed reading. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Loretta is survived by one son Gary Strong and daughter-in-law Dr. Valerie Parisi of Birmingham, Mich., two grandsons Eric Strong and Kevin Strong both of Fort Worth, Texas. and one nephew Dennis (Bonnie) Strong of Monmouth. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and one sister. Services:A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Interment will be in the Center Grove Cemetery, Kirkwood. Loretta's family will be present to receive friends at Turnbull's on Thursday, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood.