Obituary of Wilma Lucille DeKeyrel

Wilma Lucille DeKeyrel, 95, Illinois City, entered eternal peace with the Lord on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Lutheran Homes surrounded by the love of her family.    Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services.  Pastor Tim Ferrill will officiate.  Burial will be in Illinois City Cemetery.  The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Memorials may be made in Wilma’s name to the Illinois City Cemetery to preserve its beauty and peaceful surroundings.  Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Wilma Lucille Gorham was born on June 13, 1922 in lower Rock Island County (Drury Township) to parents Dorsey and Agnes (Stewart) Gorham.  She attended Pine Bluff grade school and Reynolds High School.  After graduating from high school, she attended Western Illinois State Teachers College and taught at both Pine Bluff and French grade schools during the Second World War.  She married her beloved husband, Frank F. DeKeyrel on April 12, 1941 at Grandview Community Church.  They committed their lives together to farming in both Rock Island and Muscatine counties, and celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing on December 7, 2001. 

Following her marriage and the beginning of her family, she dedicated herself to caring for her five children. Wilma took great pride in the family she raised alongside her husband, Frank. Her happiest moments came from spending time with her extended family and closest friends. She carried an extra special place in her heart for all of her grandchildren, and never missed the chance to brag about their achievements.  Wilma was a gifted poet and found inspiration from her faith, family, and friends and often wrote poetry in celebration of her faith and as a way to encourage others. 

Wilma was a member of the Pine Bluff Methodist Church which she attended all of her life. She served on several church boards and was President of the Ruthean Circle for many years.  She was faithful to God and devoted to these most important roles as a wife, mother, sister, grandmother and her life was her family, church, and friends. 

Those left to honor Wilma and remember her love include sons Dennis (Kathy) DeKeyrel, Harmony, MN, Richard (Billie Kay) DeKeyrel, Darrell (Peggy) DeKeyrel, Donnie (Dee) DeKeyrel, all of Illinois City,  daughter Denise (Bud) Moore of Muscatine, loving sister, Maxine (Rick) Sedam of New Boston, and brother-in-law Paul (Veneta) DeKeyrel of Illinois City.  Grandchildren, Marc, Laura, and Adam DeKeyrel, Danette (Gary) Kelting, Dana (Angie) DeKeyrel, Darrin (Michele) DeKeyrel, Darrell L. DeKeyrel, Matt (Juli) DeKeyrel, Melissa (Shawn) Williams, Dustin (Sarah) DeKeyrel, Toni (Jamie) Dean, and Molly Hammer and fiancé, Henry Widen and 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great- great grandchild and many other family members and friends. 

In addition to her husband, Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, sister Leola (Norman) McGinnis, brother Richard (Helen) Gorham, and great-grandson Drake R. DeKeyrel. 

The DeKeyrel family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Lutheran Homes and Compassus for their loving care and compassion.