LaVerne Appleby

LaVerne Pauline (Guess) Appleby, 96, of Sullivan, IL passed away at 8:31 P.M. on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at her son’s residence in Sullivan, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St. in Arcola, IL. Rev. Dennis Hanner will officiate. Burial will be in the Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home.

LaVerne was born on May 9, 1920 in Earlville, IA. She was a daughter of Dr. William Henry and Nina Fern (Markee) Guess. She married Harlan Harrison Appleby on April 20, 1941 in Manchester, IA. He passed away on March 25, 2015.

Survivors include one son, Terry H. Appleby and his wife Mildred of Sullivan, IL; two grandchildren, Ronni Bayes and her husband Tom of Sullivan, IL, and Harlan Alvin Appleby and his wife Denise of Reddick, FL; three great-grandchildren, Holli and TJ Bayes and Mahalia Appleby; one sister, Nina Fern (Guess) Hatch of Wyoming, IL; four nephews and three nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 74 years, and two sisters, LaVonne (Guess) Schneider and Betty (Guess) Paris, Brown.

LaVerne grew up in Manchester, IA. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1938. After graduation she worked at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Manchester before her marriage; she then worked with her husband on their family farm.

She was active in The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, becoming the first woman master of the Iowa State Grange and was an active participant in her church women’s groups.

LaVerne was a member of the Eastern Star, Audubon Club, Tourist Club, and the Lend-A-Hand Neighborhood Club, serving in various leadership roles. She volunteered in a variety of capacities and served as a census taker manager.

She was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ in rural Arthur, IL. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, tatting, knitting, playing her piano and organ, letter writing, crocheting, genealogy, playing cards, fishing and entertaining. She was an amazing cook.

Memorials may be made to Lincolnland Hospice of Sarah Bush Lincoln.