Ila Mae Kloth, 92, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 11:20 am, Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at Memorial Hospital, Chester, Illinois.
She was born on November 23, 1932, in Randolph County, Illinois, to the late Arch B. and Hilda C. (nee Lauterjung) Williamson.
Ila Mae married Harold L. Kloth on July 19, 1952, in St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois; he preceded her in death on April 18, 1993.
She is survived by a daughter: Karen Jany (Gary Clark) of Chester, IL., a grandson: Christopher (Paige) Janyof Verona, WI; three great grandchildren: Wallace Christopher Jany, Arutha Harold Jany, and Lilana Pearl Jany and a special cousin: Glenda Junge of Red Bud, IL.
She was also preceded in death by a step-brother: Seaman 1st Class Roger B. Williamson who was killed in WWII on October 9, 1943.
While in grade school, Ila Mae did housework for several families in Chester. After high school, she was a receptionist for Dr. J. Omar Hoffman. In 1958, she was a bookkeeper and scale operator at the Chester Quarry Company for 28 years. In 1986, she retired to babysit her grandson, Christopher.
Ila Mae was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, Illinois, and very active in her community.
She belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3252 in Chester and held many offices.
She also became an Illinois State Auxiliary officer for the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
She was a member of the Mississippi Saints Kitchen Band for numerous years and did volunteer work for the RSVP program of Randolph County.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday and noon-1 p.m. Tuesday at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
A funeral service 1 p.m, Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois with the Rev. Timothy Sims, officiating.
Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Illinois.
Memorials may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church Radio Fund, Arthritis Foundation or to family wishes.