Ellen B. Lay

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ellen B. Lay, 65, of Herrin, Ill., passed away at 10:35 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 at the Landmark Hospital at Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Ellen had been a homemaker and had worked as a legal secretary. She was a member of the First Church of God in Marion.

She was born July 31, 1946 at Du Quoin, Ill., the daughter of Nelson and Georgia (Eaton) Gerdes.

She married Laverne Robert Lay on May 23, 1981 at Milwaukee, Wis. and he survives.

She is survived by her husband of Herrin, one daughter - Donna Thomas and husband Andy of Murphysboro, one step son - David Lay and wife Vinice of Dallas, Tex., one step daughter - Susan Morgan of Brown Deer, Wis., two grandsons - Evan Lay of Murphysboro and Sean Lay of Wisconsin, three step grandchildren - Shawn McCarragher and wife Dulce, Kyle Gainley and Victoria Gainley, all of Dallas, Tex., two step great grandchildren - Alex McCarragher and Camila McCarragher, both of Dallas, Tex.

She was preceded in death by her father - Nelson Gerdes, her mother - Georgia (Eaton) Gerdes Fiantaco and step father - Peter Fiantaco.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 8, 2011 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Pastor Gregg Tibbs officiating.

Friends called from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial was in the Campbell Cemetery at Tamaroa.

Friends may make memorials to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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