Cecilia Beel-Wilton

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Cecilia Ann Beel-Wilton, 73, of Advance passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Jan. 17, 1943, in Marble Hill, Missouri, the daughter of Robert and Frances Elfrink Beel.

Cecilia worked at Inland Shoe Factory in Advance for several years, and she was a secretary for Lorch Oil in Advance for eight years. She then was a secretary for Southeast Coop in Advance for 16 years. After her retirement, she worked as a cook for the Advance School District and also at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

Her favorite and most challenging job was taking care of her daughters and grandchildren.

She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and PCCW.

Cecilia had many hobbies. She loved gardening and caring for her rosebushes, cooking, attending games or watching the St. Louis Cardinals on television, visiting the casino and traveling all over the world.

She always supported the Advance schools, was a very active church member and member of the ladies group. She enjoyed visiting her farms and checking the crops, being outdoors as long as it wasn't too hot or in the sun. She loved sewing, but most of all she loved her family more than words.

Loving survivors include three daughters, Connie (Matt) Sherman of Advance, Angie (Brian) Long Cato of Marble Hill and Amy (G.W.) Gilmore of Advance; a brother, Virgil Beel of Marble Hill; seven grandchildren, Garrett and Drew Sherman, Cade, Baylor and Devan Long and Tucker and Blake Leigh Gilmore; and three great-grandchildren, Ava and Lane Sherman and Grant Sherman.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Advance, with the Rev. Randy Tochtrop officiating. Burial will be at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Leopold, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stoddard County Children's Home or Birthright.