Ethelyn Louise (Fitch) Pumphrey, 87, of Charleston, IL was called to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. She was born on March 12, 1923 in Casey, IL, the daughter of Ralph Dean Fitch, Sr. and Edith V. Cook Fitch. On May 18, 1943, she married Russell Wayne Pumphrey in Miami, FL. He passed away on November 25, 2000.

Survivors include her son, Herschel Pumphrey and wife Janet of Rockville, IN; her daughter, Ranae Pumphrey Meyers and husband Jay of Pocatello, ID; grandsons, John Meyers, Harry Pumphrey, Jerry Pumphrey; granddaughter, Evey Pumphrey; great grandson, Seth Pumphrey; brother, Ralph Fitch and wife Shirley of Casey, IL sisters, LaDonna Henderson of Indianapolis, IN; Erma Jean Devall of Casey, IL; Ruth Fitch of Terre Haute, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of fifty-seven years, Wayne Pumphrey; granddaughter, Jamie Meyers; sisters, Denese Fitch and Herschella Kreitlein.

Ethelyn greatest gift in life was her love of the Lord, her dedication and service to her family, her dedication to her Church family and friends. Her ministry of service was well known to everyone. Her life may be summed up best by Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Ethelyn was a 1939 graduate of Casey High School. She graduated from Normal Teachers College and taught at the Center School. Ethelyn was a member of the Bible Center Church in Charleston, IL. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Markwell Funeral Home, Casey, IL with Pastor John Best officiating. Burial will follow in the Hazel Dell North Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial donations and contributions may be made to the Jamie Meyers Memorial c/o Grace Lutheran School, 1350 Baldy Ave., Pocatello, ID 83201 or the Charleston Christian Academy, 2605 University Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Memorial tributes and condolences may be sent to the family at www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

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