Pearl Gvillo
Fosterburg |
Pearl Frances (Mason) Gvillo, 84, drew her last breath on earth and first breath in heaven on April 14, 2011 at 5:30 pm at Alton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family.
She was born on July 21, 1926 in Alton, the eldest daughter of the late Edwin and Stella (Vancil) Mason.
She married Benjamin F.H. Gvillo of East Alton on December 16, 1947 and he preceded her in death on October 14, 1986.
Pearl attended Alton High School, worked at the Kressge lunch counter in downtown Alton and at the Walnut Grove Ice Cream Store on Broadway in Alton. She worked as a farmer’s wife for 39 years. She enjoyed square dancing, volunteering at church and spending several winters volunteering with her husband at the Southwest Indian School in Phoenix, AZ. Upon retirement Pearl enjoyed visiting with family, friends, traveling, fishing, and enjoying life with a special friend, the late Melvin Maxeiner.
She is survived by three children, Fredrick and wife Katherine Gvillo of Pittsboro, NC; Kay and husband Walter Mueggenburg of Durham, NC; and Mary Lou (Gvillo) Russell of Fosterburg, IL; six grandchildren, Michael Gvillo and wife Erin Kirk of San Francisco, CA, Jeff and wife Lauren Gvillo of Sammamish, WA, Jennifer and husband Robert Bailey of Middleton, OH, Nathan and wife Klara Mueggenburg of Lake Forest, IL, Benjamin and wife Cassandra Russell of Snohomish, WA, Malia and husband Mark Melhoff Jr. of Rio Rancho, NM; nine great-grandchildren, Claire and Emily Gvillo, Dominic and Teresa Bailey, Brian and Andrew Mueggenburg, Rebekah, Andrew and Nathan Russell; seven sisters, Ora Palmer of Hampton, IL, Marcella and husband Floyd Paul of Shipman, IL, Dorothy and husband Ulus Dawson of Alton, IL, Alta Auten of Brighton, IL, Alma Jones of Wood River, IL, Evelyn and husband Don Fletcher of Godfrey, IL, Audrey and husband Don Goodwin of O’Fallon, MO; a large extended family and a multitude of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant daughter, Barbara Ann and three brothers, Ralph, Donald and David Mason.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at the Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton. Funeral service will be held at 10 am Monday, April 18, 2011 with the Pastor Troy Crain officiating.
Burial will follow at the Fosterburg Cemetery in Fosterburg, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wycliff Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL., 32862 or World Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 948, Marion, IN 46952.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
