Alta May Elder

Alta May Elder, 84, of Du Quoin, formerly of Tamaroa, passed away at 11:10 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at the Fairview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Du Quoin.

Alta had worked as a presser for 36 years and retired from Bridal Originals in Du Quoin. She was a member of the Garment Workers Union. She was a member of the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall in Du Quoin.

She was born June 27, 1928 at Tamaroa, Ill., the daughter of Alva and Gladys (Cowley) Rice.

She married Lonnie R. Elder on June 1, 1945 at Pinckneyville, Ill. and he preceded her in death on April 2, 1992.

She is survived by seven children - Judith A. Knapp of Tamaroa, George L. Elder of Tamaroa, Ronnie J. Elder of Tamaroa, Alta Ruth Glazebrook of Nixa, Mo., Stella F. McKinnon of Sawyer, Okla., Barbara E. Percifull of Pinckneyville and Marilyn Sue Feltmeyer of Tamaroa, six brothers - Steven Rice, Carl Rice and Kenneth Rice, all of Davenport, Iowa, Loren Rice of Pinckneyville, Glenn Rice and Purl Rice, both of Swanwick, two sisters - Mildred Parsi of St. Louis, Mo., and Linda Palo of Raleigh, N.C., 22 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and numerous great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter - Donna Davis, one son - Lonnie Ray Elder, two grandchildren - Jarrid Glazebrook and Leslie Robin Harris, two great grandchildren - Dustin Arnold and Emerald Nichols, three sisters - Wilma Cope, Marjorie Melvin and Christine Keller and one brother - Nelson Rice.

Per Mrs. Elder's request, cremation services were held.

Graveside services will be held at a later date at the Antioch Cemetery at Tamaroa.

Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa is in charge of arrangements.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.