Published: May 09, 2008 10:44 am            

Orpha Locey

Orpha Jane Locey, 97, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at Countryside Manor at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2008.

Born Jan. 24, 1911, she was the youngest of three sisters and two brothers. Her father, William Jack Davis, and mother, Maggie Fisher Davis, lived in Four Mile Township near Keens. Maggie died in 1913 when Orpha was age 2. Orpha sometimes rode a horse to elementary school, and helped on the family farm with her sisters and brother. After elementary school, she worked in Fairfield in the office of Sexton Manufacturing making money to attend high school and help out at home. She lived in company housing near the factory. After two years, she came to Mt. Vernon and lived with a family on Seventh Street taking care of children while she completed high school in 1932.

Graduating in the beginning of the Great Depression, she went to work for the WPA in Harrisburg. Returning home after her father’s death in 1935, she married Fay Locey of Middleton in 1937, keeping the financial records in the family businesses. They operated a filling station and tire business in the early 1940’s, and then a heating business. They purchased a small farm on Tolle Road in 1938, where she and Fay had two sons, Jackie in 1942, who died of leukemia in 1943, and David in 1944. Orpha was an active member of the Central Christian Church, enjoyed playing weekly card games with friends, raising livestock on the farm, and planting a large garden. Orpha went back to work for eight years at the Murray Center in Centralia in the 1970’s. Fay died in 1973.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fay, and her sisters and brothers. Orpha is survived by her son David, and his wife Ann of Bayfield, Wisc., and two grandchildren, Allison, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Jennifer of Mt. Vernon. She has two nieces, Donna Kay Potts of Brooksville, Fla., and Euna Mae Trexler of Arlington, Va. A nephew, Loren Osborn, lives in Bluford.

In honor of her wishes, there will be no public visitation. Orpha’s family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. until service time 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Graveside Services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Memorial Cemetery with Mr. Randy Sells officiating

In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to send memorials, Orpha was always interested in the new Central Christian Church building and followed its construction closely when she was able. Memorials may be made to the Central Christian Church Building Fund, 301 N. Tenth Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348, or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information, or to send condolences.

        

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