Agnes CoeDell Hilligoss (95) of Effingham

Agnes CoeDell Hilligoss, 95, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 15 at the Church of Christ, 1311 S. Fourth Street, Effingham, with Curtis L.E. Graves officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham. Memorials may be made in loving memory of CoeDell to the Golden Circle Nutrition Program.

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Agnes CoeDell was born in a small farmhouse in rural Clay County, north of Louisville, IL, on July 7, 1921, the first of eight children of Forrest and Myrtle (Potts) Bailey. CoeDell went to rural schools and after completion of the eighth grade, helped her mother care for her siblings on the farm. In 1941, when the war was on, she and her cousin Helen went to Terre Haute, IN, and got jobs in a factory building ships. While there, she met her future husband, Alfred A. Hilligoss from the Galesburg, IL, area. They were married on May 15, 1944, in Arkansas and to this union two sons were born. CoeDell and Al traveled a great deal pulling a small mobile home behind their car as Al worked as a welder on the pipeline until about 1953 when they settled in Des Plaines, IL. In 1980, CoeDell and Al moved to Effingham. CoeDell enjoyed being a homemaker. Her house was filled with pictures on the walls and knick-knacks on tables and dressers, in windows, and even on closet shelves. She was very good at arranging pictures and displaying the items she liked to have in view. She was an avid reader, enjoying books and magazines, and liked working crossword puzzles. For 55 years, her world stopped to watch “As The World Turns.” CoeDell was a great friend to many, a good listener, thoughtful, and never said anything unkind about anyone. She especially was a great mother. She was witty, smart, and compassionate. She loved animals, feeding the birds, and watching the hummingbirds who seemed to acknowledge her presence. Sometimes CoeDell would gleefully tell of a fox or deer sighting as she watched the woods from her living room. She enjoyed shopping and was smart about finding good bargains. Many would compliment her on how nicely she dressed. CoeDell was a member of the Church of Christ for almost 31 years. Her time on God’s earth was a blessing to all. She was a great example of what a happy, content person was like. She was a faithful servant of our creator whom He blessed with His peace. He gave her peace, courage, wisdom, love, patience, and strength. She will rest in peace until it is time and she ascends anew above.

CoeDell is survived by her son, Michael “Mike” (wife, Joan Coronato/Hilligoss) Hilligoss of Addison; daughter-in-law, Charla Hilligoss of Abilene, TX; grandchildren, Paul Hilligoss of Brookfield, Greg Hilligoss of Schaumburg, Christi (Brian) Stark of Abilene, TX, and Alan (Aubry) Hilligoss of Abilene, TX; great-grandchildren, Mia and Ella Hilligoss, and Jackson, Colin, and Elsie Stark; and siblings, Berdette (Iris) Bailey of Pana, Clifford (Joann) Bailey of Sailor Springs, Ralph (Charlene) Bailey of Louisville, and Eileen Green of Metropolis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alfred after 51 years of marriage; son, Antony “Tony” Hilligoss; and brothers, Lloyd, Arden, and Leon.