Evelyn O'Harrow

Evelyn Mary O'Harrow of Beardstown, IL died at age 97 on September 7, 2022 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL with her daughter and son-in-law at her side. She was born on August 11,1925 in Fowler, IL, the daughter of Carl Aaron and Velma Viola (Thompson) Wittler and was the third of their five children and the last to pass away. She married Albert Ralph (Ab) O'Harrow in Monmouth, IL on May 28, 1948. He preceded her in death on November 28, 1985.

Evelyn had wonderful memories of her parents, brothers and sister, and the years she spent growing up in her hometown of Fowler and attending Fowler Grade School. She graduated in 1943 from Unity High School in Mendon and then attended Quincy's Gem City Business College. After their marriage, she and Ab lived in Augusta and Camp Point, IL until 1953 when his employment with CB&Q Railroad moved them to Beardstown where she remained for the next seventy years. There she spent time taking care of her family and home and making many friends.

Evelyn was employed by Beardstown High School as a cafeteria cook for nineteen years, retiring in 1986. She was a faithful member of the First Christian Church of Beardstown for over sixty years and dearly loved her church family, as they did her. She served God while serving others with her hospitality and kindness. She was known to many young people as Nannie and to her nieces and nephews as Aunt Evie, but there was no name she liked more than Grandma. She enjoyed baking and was known for generously sharing her pies, noodles, cookies, Valentine's Day cupcakes, and Christmas treats with family, friends, and sometimes strangers. Many will remember her sitting on her front porch, her favorite part of the house, and waving to them as they drove down 8th Street honking their horns "hello." Her years of visiting people at Heritage Manor Nursing Home brought her much joy, as did the time she spent with all her family. According to her own reflection, "She was a loving person and really enjoyed life."

Evelyn's life in Beardstown was enriched by special relationships, none more than with her church family, especially the Mike and Cassey Courson family and the Dave and Susan Hastings family, who considered Evelyn as a family member. She was also fortunate through the years of having loving neighbors who cared for her: Dennis and Debbie Stambaugh, Dick and Beth Yost, and (late Ramón) and Michelle Escapa and children.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Linda Kay (William) Hyde of Quincy, and her pride and joy, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Anne Christine (Alex) Eichman and Abigail Evelyn of Gurnee, IL; Philip O'Harrow (Mackenzie) Hyde and Emmalyn Grace, William Strawn, Lee Parsons of Nashville, TN; Laura Eve Hyde of Nashville, TN; Deborah Jean (Nikola) Obradovic and Saśa Milorad of San Francisco, CA; Samuel Mayer Hyde (Sam Allen) of Chicago, IL. She is also survived by her stepdaughter Shirley Ahern of CA and Shirley's children: Kevin (Indira) Ahern of OR, Kathy (Justin) Cooley of ID, Erin O’Harrow Strickstein of AZ and Seth and Kiera, Brian (Tina) Ahern of KY and Zack, Kylie, and Bree. Many nieces and nephews with loving memories of Aunt Evie survive her as does her sister-in-law Marilyn Wittler.

In addition to her parents and husband, Evelyn was preceded in death by a sister Eileen Witt McClelland (Arolo Witt/Leland McClelland); three brothers Elden (Marie) Wittler, Merle (Ruth) Wittler and Norman Wittler; three nephews John, Larry, and Rodger Wittler; and all her O’Harrow in-laws and spouses.

Evelyn's family would like to thank the caregivers at Evergreen Place in Beardstown for the loving support she received from them over the past three years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, September 16, 2022 at First Christian Church in Beardstown. The family will meet with friends from 10-11:30 AM at the church on Friday. Burial will be held at 11 AM Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Home Cemetery in Fowler. For Burial, family suggests dressing comfortably. Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials have been suggested to Beardstown First Christian Church or Home Cemetery. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.