Ione Lucille Meissen Obituary (1918 - 2011)

Ione Lucile Meissen, 92, Durand, Illinois passed away Sunday morning, March 20, 2011 at Homestead Living in Waunakee, Wisconsin after a brief illness. Ione had recently moved from Durand to live closer to her daughter. Ione was born at home on July 7, 1918 on a farm near McNabb in central Illinois. She was the oldest of three children born to Fred and Cora (McShane) Stansell. Her sister, Helen Stansell currently resides in Normal, Illinois. Her brother, Keith Stansell, a WWII veteran, passed away about 10 years ago. As a young girl, Ione was active in4-H. One of her 4-H sewing projects, a dress with intricate accessories, won Grand Champion at the Illinois State Fair. She later received a four year scholarship to attend the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. After graduating with a degree in Home Economics, Ione accepted a teaching position at the Durand High School and taught there for 28 years. Ione retired from teaching in 1975. In 1945 Ione married Edwin Meissen of Durand. They had four children. The oldest, Sharon died at childbirth in 1946. Edwin, who farmed with his family south of Durand, passed away in 1957. Ione is survived by her sons Ronald Meissen, Crystal Lake, Illinois and Robert (Linda) Meissen, Reno, Nevada; daughter Maureen (Everett) Rice, Waunakee, Wisconsin and three grandsons Robert, Chicago, Illinois, Nicholas, Los Angeles, California and Sean, Reno, Nevada. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 28, 2011 in St. Mary Catholic Church, 602 W Main Street, Durand, Illinois with Msgr. Eric Barr, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Durand, Illinois. Visitation will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home, 101 Main Street, Durand, Illinois from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., with a Scripture Service to be held at 5:00, Sunday, March 27.