Rachael A. McElwee Obituary (1943 - 2007)

Rachael McElwee, 63, of Pana died Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in her residence. She was born May 15, 1943 in Delcray, Michigan, the daughter of Edwin F. "Ed" Elizabeth "Betty" Frolich Mathias, deceased. Rachael was a graduate of Tower Hill High School Class of 1961. She lived her entire life in the Tower Hill and Pana area except three years in Omaha, Nebraska. While in Omaha she worked for ATT. She was a mother housewife. For 19 years she and her husband Steve owned and operated Tri-County Seed and in Pana. She was former secretary of Tower Hill School and treasurer for the Board of Education of Tower Hill until the consolidation with Pana. She was Tower Hill village treasurer for several years. She was a founding board member of and served for many years on the Board of Tower Hill Village Park where she wrote the grant to purchase the land. Rachael had been a member of the Tower Hill Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher. She was currently a member First United Presbyterian Church, Pana where she was an Elder. She was moderator for Presbyterian Women's Organization--a position she held until they merged with St. John' UCC when she became President of the Women's Fellowship. She was church treasurer, for many years and was treasurer for Presbyterian Women's Organization of the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois. She was a member of PEO and Tuesday Club, Kemmerer Village Auxiliary Board, Loaves Fishes Food Pantry, and Friends of the Library. She served Pana Community Hospital Auxiliary as secretary and volunteered at the front desk and gift shop. She was a past member of Order of Eastern Star in Tower Hill, and a past 4-H leader. Rachael loved her grandkids and loved watching their sports activities-softball, volleyball and basketball. She enjoyed gardening, doll collecting, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. Rachael married D. Steven McElwee on July 22, 1961 at First United Presbyterian Church, Pana. She is survived by her husband, D. Steven McElwee, Pana, IL; daughter, Pamela DeWerff husband Wayne, Owaneco, IL; son, Steven Ray McElwee wife Angela, Cincinnati, OH; 5 grandchildren: Megan Brock DeWerff and Cameron, Regan Aidan McElwee; brothers: Gerald "Jerry" Mathias, Herrick, IL and Edwin F. "Ed" Mathias, Jr., Fisher, IL; and by her sister: Marguerite "Marg" Belval, Naperville, IL. Funeral Information Funeral services will be Friday, March 2, 2007 in First United Presbyterian Church, Pana at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Marilyn Rauch officiating. Burial will be in Tower Hill Cemetery, Tower Hill, IL. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana.