Lois Imogene (Durfee) Edwards

Lois Imogene Edwards departed from this earthly life into the arms of God on September 11, 2023, surrounded by her daughters and family in her home.  Lois, known as “Imogene” by family and friends, was born in Saline County, Illinois, on November 13, 1933.  She was 89 years, 9 months, and 29 days old.  She was the youngest of ten children born to James Young (JY) and Minnie Durfee.  Her brothers were Dewitt Durfee (Hazel), Clyde Durfee (Pat), and Howard Durfee (Wilda).  Two brothers died at a young age, JC and Winfred Durfee. Her sisters were Dimple Stricklin (Jeff), Rose Lawrence (Alvin), Maxine English (Truman), and Bea Hambleton (Mark).

She graduated from Carrier Mills High School in 1951.  She worked throughout high school to help support her mother at various restaurants, the newspaper, local movie theater, and Pankey’s Gas Company.  Imogene then met and married Robert Joe “Bob” Edwards in Carrier Mills, Illinois on November 14, 1953.  Two daughters were born to them, Rebecca Lynn Belt (Dennis) and Debora Gale Richey (Keith).  She loved her two grandchildren dearly, Brandon Tyler Richey and Brittany Lynn Richey.

Imogene was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and their wives, four sisters and their husbands, two brothers-in-law, Bill Edwards (Margie), and Jack Edwards, one sister-in-law, and a dear friend, Pat Kraniewski.

She leaves behind her beloved daughters, their husbands, two grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews, and one sister-in-law, Brenda Edwards.  She also had a special niece, Pat Wiese, and special friend, Stacy Lentzenich.

Imogene was a lifelong homemaker and enjoyed supporting the activities of her daughters and grandchildren.  She enjoyed volunteering and being helpful and supportive of her family, friends, and church family. She volunteered serving funeral dinners at First Baptist Church in Marion, where she was a member.  She loved to volunteer at the Marion Ministerial Alliance Soup Kitchen.  She served forty years as a volunteer at the Marion Memorial Hospital and Heartland Regional Hospital in the gift shops there.  She was honored for her years of service to the Hospital Auxiliary.

Imogene traveled through the west on vacations with her husband and children.  She was blessed to go to the Bahamas, England, Alaska, Mexico, and Jamaica with her family.  She began writing a journal daily of her thoughts and daily activities.  She was an avid reader and news watcher.  She spent many hours with her two daughters and grandchildren.  She enjoyed looking for bargains at the stores.

Imogene was generous, kind, and loving to all those she met.  She taught the love of God, family, and country to her daughters. She was a brave and spunky senior citizen who loved being independent.  She sent special occasion and birthday cards to many of her church family.  She always enjoyed being at church services as much as possible.  She became a Christian at the age of fourteen and lived a devoted Christian life.  She will be greatly missed by her two daughters, grandchildren, sons-in-law, other family members and friends.

The family wishes to thank the kind nurses and personal attendants of Hospice of Southern Illinois who helped her daughters to care for Imogene. They were a blessing to the whole family.

Services will be held at Binkley-Ross Funeral Home located at 1702 West Boulevard Street Marion, Illinois on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Funeral services will start at noon, with Reverend Dave Gilley officiating.  Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery.

Family members ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.