Ellen Birdsell

Ellen Jane Birdsell, age 74 of Beardstown, died Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

She was born February 14, 1943 in Philadelphia, IL, the daughter of Albert and Bernice Sutherd Fanning.

She is survived by her children Allen (wife Judy) Birdsell of Winchester, Terri (husband John) Huggins of Canton, Michael Birdsell of Philadelphia, and Jennifer (companion Paul Fawcett) of Beardstown; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Ellen graduated from Virginia High School in the class of 1960. She received her LPN degree in 1980 and had worked for Beardstown Hospital until it closed, and then retired as a nurse from Illinois River Correctional Facility in Canton in 2009. She loved going to flea markets, crafting and sewing, and baking. She was always helping her neighborhood any way she could. Her greatest joy was being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Saturday, October 7, 2017 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. The family will meet with friends two hour prior to the services at the memorial home. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

Memorials have been suggested to the family of Ellen Jane Birdsell, c/o Colwell Memorial Home, 515 State Street, Beardstown, IL 62618.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.