Ila Jean Webber

Ila Jean Webber, 90, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO, on Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Ila Jean (Ballard) Webber was born in Putnam County, Mo, on August 23, 1928, the daughter of Benjamin Guy and Ethel Mae (Beck) Ballard.  She was raised on the family farm and attended Cook and Hillcrest schools before graduating from Unionville High School in 1945.  She then went to Des Moines, IA, and worked at an ordinance plant, Look Magazine, and Western Union.  Ila Jean married Melvin Cleo Webber, whom she met in High School, on February 18, 1946, and he preceded her in death on January 18, 2008.

Ila Jean and Cleo rented a farm on the state line after Cleo returned from the army.  In 1962 they purchased a farm from Dr. McDonald and lived there until Cleo’s passing.  Ila Jean sold the farm and moved to Unionville in 2009.  She worked 11 years at Uniform Printing in Centerville, IA and also helped on the farm for 10 years.  She then worked as a secretary for Missouri Mining for 23 years.  Ila Jean was on the Putnam County Memorial Hospital Board for six years and treasurer of the Twin States Pulling Association for three years.

Ila Jean loved all her family very much.  She always enjoyed birthdays and holidays with all the family.  She was good to attend all the sporting events and other activities she could.  She liked to go with her girls and grandkids to Worlds of Fun, the zoo, the Sydney Rodeo, a circus, Adventureland, and the Living History Farm.  She always felt blessed to have such a loving family to be proud of.  After moving to town she enjoyed card playing with friends and eating out.  Ila Jean was a member of the Unionville First Christian Church, and enjoyed attending with her girls.  They also enjoyed visiting other special places.

Ila Jean is survived by her daughters, Linda Jean (Coleman) Quint and Connie Leia (Gary) Davis, all of Unionville, MO.   Her grandchildren are Angela (Brent) Riech, Shelley (Geoff) Crosby, Eugene Davis, Brian (Megan) Quint, and Holly Powders.  Ila Jean’s great grandchildren are Jordyn (Mitch) Christensen, India Riech, Ashley (Joe) Brumley, Kiersten Davis, Cody Quint, Carson Quint, and Carter Quint. Her great-great grandsons are Myers and Kelby Brown and Max Christensen and her step-great grandchildren are Tristen Festervand and Ada Evans.  She is also survived by sister-in-law Edna Hurtado and brothers-in-law Eugene Webber and Harl Buckallew, as well as step-sister Eileen Brown, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband of 61 years, Ila Jean was also preceded in death by sisters-in-law Louise Machlan, Wanda Webber and Eileen Buckallew and brothers-in-law Arthur Webber, Fred Hurtado, Larry Webber, and Gary Webber and step-father Frank Heilman.

Funeral services for Ila Jean Webber will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, with visitation one hour prior to service.  Interment will be the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Union Church Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.