Margaret Ruth Mendenhall, 81, of Palestine, IL, died at 11:48 a.m. Thursday, January 11, 2007 at her residence. She was born May 3, 1925 in Chrisman, IL, the daughter of Otto Graham and Ethel Kirts Graham.
She retired as a cook from Crawford Memorial Hospital, Robinson. She was a member of the Outer West Market Church of Christ, Palestine.
She married Earl E. Mendenhall December 9, 1940 and he preceded her in death on January 23, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents; 2 daughters, Linda Ragland and Kathy York; 2 sons, Nolan Mendenhall, Sr. and Terry Mendenhall in infancy; 2 grandsons in infancy, Andrew Hussey and Brandon Mendenhall; 2 brothers, William Graham and Wilmer Graham; her daughter-in-law, Melody Mendenhall; and her son-in-law, Jim Ragland.
She is survived by 5 sons and daughters-in-law, Leon and Norma Mendenhall, Palestine, Ronnie and Betty Mendenhall, Palestine, Bruce and Linda Mendenhall, Albion, Rick and Barb Mendenhall, West Union, Keith and Debbie Mendenhall, Newton; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Don Littlejohn, Palestine, Dawn and Bill Hussey, Robinson; 87 grandchildren and great grandchildren; her son-in-law, Paul York, Robinson; ; one sister and brother-in-law, Juanita and John Brown, Lawndale, CA; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph and Elaine Graham, Penitas, TX, Kenneth and Della Graham, Chetopa, KS; 1 sister-in-law, Maxine Graham Girod, Monroe, IN; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 15th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Rev. John Brand is in charge of the services. Burial will be in the Oblong Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 14th. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Hospice; the Crawford Memorial Home Health Care; or to the Outer West Market Church of Christ with envelopes available at the funeral home.