Evelyn Cruse

OLMSTED, Ill. -- Evelyn Ruth Cruse, 88, of Greenville, Ill., died Monday, March 31, 2003, at Farrow Nursing Home in Greenville.

She was born Feb. 5, 1915, at Olmsted, daughter of James Arthur and Nellie Gillespie Palmer. She married Ralph Cruse, who died in 1981.

Cruse was formerly of Pulaski and Mounds, Ill. She was a member of Mounds Church of Christ. She was a 4-H leader many years in Pulaski County, former member of Pulaski Homemakers Extension Unit, and former volunteer at Smiles One Center in Mounds.

Survivors include three stepdaughters, Rosemary Parker and Anna Rodgers of Greenville, Ruth Chancy of Pulaski; a brother, Vaughn Palmer of Pulaski; and 24 stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, two sisters, and three stepchildren.

Friends may call at Mounds Church of Christ after 10 a.m. Friday.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Pulaski.

Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.