Lucille Rosetta (nee House) Belcher, 94, of Monticello, died on October 18, 2013 at Piatt County Nursing Home with her family by her side. Services will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. at Mackey-Wright funeral home, Monticello, with visitation from 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. prior to the service. Burial will be in Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, IL.
Mrs. Belcher was born at home near Sadorus, IL on January 19, 1919, to parents Richard A. and Bertha B. (Warren) House. Two brothers, Ray W. and Roy A., predeceased her. She married Lowell Francis Belcher on March 19, 1942 in Houston, TX. He passed away in 1984.
She is survived by two daughters, Mary Lu (Darwin) Bretsch of Belleville, IL and JoAnne Ramirez of Monticello. She also leaves 5 beloved grandchildren: Ryan (Jennifer) Bretsch of Bellvue, WA, Melinda (Salvador) Bernal of Belleville, Kathleen Redden of Belleville, Joanna Bretsch of Belleville, and Ian Ramirez of San Francisco; her pride and joy, 7 great grandchildren: Cooper Bretsch, Jennifer Bernal, Lucas Bernal, Isaiah Bernal, Alexis Bernal, Julia Redden, and Emily Redden; and nieces and nephews: Connie (Ken) Stone, Alan (Donna) House, and Kathleen (Ron) Robbins.
Mrs. Belcher grew up on the family farm near Mansfield, IL. She attended Illinois State Normal University, Normal, IL and graduated from the U of I with a Master’s Degree in Library Science. She was a librarian at DeLand-Weldon High School for 18 years and also served as church librarian for the Monticello United Methodist Church, to which she belonged for 57 years.
During her life, she lived and worked in four different Piatt County towns, including Cerro Gordo. She was very involved in the community as a longtime member of the Women’s Club of Monticello, Piatt County Republican Women, Home and Community Education and 4-H club leader. With a great appreciation for her homeland and heritage, combined with a love of history, she was a staunch supporter of the Piatt County Museum and Piatt County Historical and Genealogical Society, the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation, and was a 52-year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Lucille was always grateful that her parents supported her desire to pursue an education as much as they did for her brothers. She had a lifelong love of books and learning. She belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma educational sorority and the U of I Foundation, and was pleased with the opportunity to be a founding member of the Monticello Area Education Foundation.
During retirement she enjoyed traveling, making new friends through the Order of the Eastern Star and Champaign-Urbana Court of the Order of the Amaranth, and most of all getting to know her grandchildren and great grandchildren and strengthening family ties. She had a strong influence in their lives by encouraging academic pursuits and sharing history through family stories. Her presence and guidance will be greatly missed.
Memorials may be made to the Monticello United Methodist Church, the Piatt County Nursing Home, or the Piatt County Museum. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightrfuneralhome.com.
