Evelyn McLaughlin

TROY GROVE — E. Evelyn McLaughlin, 93, of Troy Grove, went to be with the Lord Thursday, April  26, at Heritage Health, Mendota.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 30, in Zion United Methodist Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Hogun Kim officiating. Burial will be in Troy Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services Monday in the church. The Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, is handling the arrangements.

Evelyn was born Aug. 31, 1924, in Troy Grove, to John and Mae (Brandner) Wallace. She married Lauren "Bud" McLaughlin on Nov. 22, 1944, on his parent's farm in Mendota. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary last November.

Evelyn worked for Dr. Cox in La Salle and at Conkey's in Mendota for several years. She was a homemaker who devoted her time to taking care of her children.

She was a member of Prudentia Chapter 341 of the Eastern Star, Troy Grove Presbyterian Church and later Zion United Methodist Church. She volunteered at PADS homeless shelter in La Salle.

For many years she and her husband enjoyed square dancing, snowmobiling and going to Michigan on vacation. She was in a bowling league for a number of years. She was an awesome baker and made the best meringue pies and homemade baked beans.

Evelyn is survived by her loving husband, Lauren "Bud" McLaughlin, of Troy Grove; three sons, Kenneth (Pat) McLaughlin, of Mendota, Keith (Penny) McLaughlin, of La Salle, and Kevin McLaughlin, of Troy Grove; one daughter, Karen (Mark) Galloway, of Sugar Grove; nine grandchildren, Diane Harrison, Matt (Jill) McLaughlin, Kenny, Ryan, Tara and Erin McLaughlin, Michelle (Matt) Dilday,  Lauren Galloway, Taylor (Cory) Myers, and two on the way; one sister, Dorothy Wallace; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Stevenson and Mildred Morel.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret; an infant daughter, Kathy; and her granddaughter, Marisa McLaughlin.

Evelyn was a loving, caring, thoughtful wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma and friend to many. We will always carry her memory in our hearts. Heaven gained a beautiful angel.

Memorials may be directed to Zion United Methodist Church.

Merritt Funeral Home

800 Monroe St., Mendota, IL 61342

815-539-7211 merrittfh.com