Marcella Strutner (96) of West Liberty

Marcella L. Strutner, age 96 of West Liberty, Illinois, passed away at 10:30 AM Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM Thursday, March 2, 2023, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois, with Fr. Dean Probst celebrating mass. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sainte Marie, Illinois. Visitation will be held 10:00-11:30 AM Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the church. In loving memory of Marcella, memorials may be made to Sainte Marie American Legion Auxiliary or Sainte Marie Foundation. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. 

Marcella was born on November 28, 1926, in Sainte Marie Township, Jasper County, Illinois, the daughter of Leonard and Frances M. (Geiger) Menke. She attended Saint Mary of the Assumption School, taught by the Ursuline nuns, and then attended two years of high school at Sainte Marie. She then attended high school at Newton Community High School and graduated with the Class of 1945. In that year she accepted a job with the Treasury Department at Merchandise Mart in Chicago as a key punch operator, recording service E war bonds. 

Marcella married Oscar Strutner on October 16, 1948, at St Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois. To this union six children were born. As children were growing, she sewed many beautiful clothes, helped with 4-H programs, grew vegetables and flower gardens. She was a caregiver for her mother, mother-in-law, and husband over the years. When the children were grown, she devoted her time to family genealogy. Oscar preceded her in death on March 30, 2015.

Marcella was a life-long member of St Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. She was the last surviving charter member of the Sainte Marie American Legion Auxiliary, where she was a member for 74 years. She served as the auxiliary president in 1979 and 80. For many years she served as an election judge for Sainte Marie Township.

Marcella is survived by:

Children – Suzy (Tom) Lawler of Newton, Illinois; Barb (Larry) Thoele of Teutopolis, Illinois; Jane (Dave) Geltz of Sainte Marie, Illinois; Tony (Martha) Strutner of West Liberty, Illinois, and Eric (Lorraine) Strutner of Shipman, Illinois

Daughter-in-law – Christy Strutner of Farmer City, Illinois

Grandchildren – Nate Lawler, Mike (Beth) Lawler, Sarah (Daniel) Vogel, Matt (Elyse) Thoele, Jenny (Brian) McIver, Jeremy Geltz (Shawnee Woods), Mandi Kuhl, Rachael (Clark) McWhorter, Hilarie (Joe) Repking, Scott (Sarah) Strutner, Emily Strutner, Jacob Strutner, Alex Strutner and Connor Strutner

Great Grandchildren – James Lawler, Elliott McIver, Sydney McIver, Brooklyn Herman (Carter Dial), Layla Kuhl, Knox Kuhl, Molly McWhorter, Harvey McWhorter, Lena McWhorter, Della Repking, Alf Repking, Oscar Repking and Emma Strutner.

Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Jim Strutner, granddaughter Allison Thoele, great granddaughter Evie Lawler and brothers Lee and Gene Menke.