Evelyn Virginia Roberts Ernst (90) of Effingham, formerly of Farina

Evelyn Virginia Roberts Ernst, age 90, of Effingham, formerly of Farina, Illinois, passed away at 8:28 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016 at the Lakeland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Effingham, Illinois.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 29 at the United Methodist Church in Farina, Illinois with a one-hour viewing prior to service. Reverend Rob Dillingham will be officiating. Burial will be at the Farina Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Illinois Audubon Society.

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Virginia was born on September 7, 1925 in Farina, Illinois to Lacey Joe and Iva Mae (Yates) Roberts. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Farina, Illinois. “Ginny” grew up outside of Farina with her three brothers and parents, L.J. and Iva Mae Roberts. Times were very difficult for everyone during the depression. She learned from her parents about conservation and about growing fruit as a cash crop. Virginia had an intense sense of goodness and empathy which prompted her to cheer for the downtrodden and to take in strays. She loved flying and eventually got her private pilot license. She also studied chemical engineering at the University of Illinois. But most of all, she loved her children, encouraging them to pursue education. Her sense of fairness and morality was unsurpassed.

She is survived by her 5 children, Jacquelyn Ann Hayden of Effingham, Illinois, Linda Jo Stettbacher of Effingham, Illinois, Glenn C. Ernst Jr. of Republic, Missouri, Mary Jo Diab of Pewaukee, Wisconsin and Robin Tracy Ernst of Greenville, South Carolina; 5 grandchildren, Charles Hayden III, Zachary Ernst, Xavier Ernst, Jamal Diab, Meredith Lacey Ernst and several great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, L.J. and Iva Mae Roberts; 3 brothers, Chatman Roberts, Gailerd Roberts and Stanton Roberts.