Dolores Ruth Maden, 83, Lodge, passed away Sunday (Oct. 20, 2013) at Kirby Medical Center, Monticello.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Trigg & Calvert Funeral Home, DeLand, with Chaplain Tony Crouch officiating. Burial will follow at DeLand Cemetery, DeLand. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Piatt County Animal Shelter.

Mrs. Maden was born Nov. 3, 1929, in Decatur, the daughter of Jesse and Grace Lanier Fitzwater. She married Gaylord T. “Gay” Maden on July 13, 1949, in DeLand. He passed away May 20, 2011.

Dolores grew up in Lodge and graduated from DeLand High School as the valedictorian of her class. She then attended Illinois State University, formerly Illinois State Normal University, majoring in history.

Survivors include her son, Jeffery T. (Trudy) Maden, Lodge; daughter, Jennifer (Kenny) Eades, Champaign; granddaughter, Danielle Maden, Urbana; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Combined, Dolores and Gaylord farmed for more than 63 years, along with her being a devoted mother and homemaker. She was a member of the DeLand Lincoln Unit Auxiliary Post 102; American Legion Auxiliary for 60 years; Monticello VFW Auxiliary 5346; Champaign VFW Auxiliary 5550; and a drainage district member of DeLand and Lodge.

She enjoyed sewing and crocheting, gardening, flowers and reading, and she was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. Also, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Dolores was a very caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.