Illa Bush Matthews

October 9, 1922 - May 29, 2009

Illa Bush Matthews age 86 of St. Clair formerly of Harrison Twp., died Friday, May 29. Illa was born October 9, 1922 in Scott City, Kansas to the late Marshall & Rhodia (Johnston) Bush. Prior to WW II, Illa taught elementary school in a one room school house, and during the war she worked for Douglas Aircraft in her countries service. She married Edward Clayton Matthews in 1944 and preceded her in death in 1973. She was a member of the First Congregational Church, St. Clair. Illa is survived by her daughter Patricia O’Connor, son-in-law Donald O’Connor and daughter-in-law Mary Matthews, her grand children, Kimberly (Mark) Kirstein, Michael Matthews, Katherine (Tom) Bushe, Carley (Keith) Wilcox, Barbara (Andy) Guntzviller, Ryan (Laurie) O’Connor, Kyle (Rachel) O’Connor, Cory O’Connor and Stacey Balkowski, great grand children Kelly Kirstein, Carissa Wilcox, Kaelyn Wilcox, Drew Guntzviller, Will Guntzviller, McKenna O’Connor, Maeve O’Connor, Kaylie O’Connor, Ryleigh O’Connor, Derek Matthews and Marie Matthews, and one brother Wayne (Dorothy) Bush. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Daniel and Dennis Mathews, her brother Phillip Bush and sister Doris Henry. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 16, at 11 AM in the First Congregation Church, St. Clair, Rev Reginald Lancaster officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 AM till service time in the church. Memorials may be made to Blue Water Hospice. Arrangements by L.C. Friederichs & Son Funeral Home