Celeste A. Lemen

Celeste A. Lemen, 102, of Loves Park, IL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, July 9, 2015. Born June 10, 1913, in Unionville, MO, daughter of John and Ivah (Clark) Durbin. Attended Brown Country School and was a graduate of Unionville High School, Class of 1931. Married Cleo Lemen on August 15, 1940. Moved to Rockford from Putnam County, MO., in 1936, and then to Loves Park in 1948. Employed by various industrial plants including Wood & Brooks Piano Company, Roper and Amerock. Member of Grace Lutheran Church, Alter Guild and the Singletons. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, cake decorating and was an avid reader. She travelled the country after retiring. She resided at Park Tower in Loves Park from 1994 until December of 2014. Celeste’s long and healthy life has been a gift to all of those who knew and loved her. She will be missed dearly. Survivors include three grandchildren, Bradley (Jenny) Lemen of Davenport, IA, Sara Lemen of Rockton and Valerie Lemen of Loves Park; great-grandchildren, Theresa Lemen, Sophia Lemen and Eli White; sister, Marge Kildow of Texas; nieces, Cheryl (Walter) Helmick of Texas and Nancy (Billy) Ong of California; and nephew, John (Linda) Danielson of Loves Park. Predeceased by her husband, Cleo; son, Richard; sister, Neta Danielson; brother, Lloyd Clark; and nephew, Fred Danielson. Special thanks to the staff at River Bluff Nursing Home and the staff at Rockford Memorial Hospital for their wonderful car and concern. Special thanks to John, Linda and Ben Danielson for all they did for Celeste in her later years.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2015, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, IL, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. A graveside service will be held Sunday, July 19, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lemons Cemetery in Lemons, MO. Local arrangements under the direction of Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO.