Juanita Cerny

CAIRO, Ill. -- Juanita Cerny, 88, of Cairo died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born in Pulaski County, Ill., daughter of the late Herbert Alexander and Velma Valiere Dacus Melton. She married Raymond Cerny, who preceded her in death in 1981.

Mrs. Cerny was a dietitian and supervisor of food service for Cairo School District. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Daughters of Isabella.

Survivors include a daughter, Debra C. and husband Appellate Judge Stephen Spomer of Cairo; a granddaughter, Amy Spomer of Cairo; two stepdaughters, Mary Helen Ury of Jonesboro, Ill., Jean Hileman of Villa Ridge, Ill.; six stepgrandchildren; a great-stepgrandchild; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold "Slats" Melton and Holloway Melton; a sister, Mildred Parker; and a grandson, Michael Asa Spomer.

Friends may call at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo from 5 to 8 p.m. today. The rosary will be recited at 7:30.

Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with Monsignor Bill McGhee officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge, Ill.

At the request of the family, expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Cerny may take the form of contributions to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 312 Ninth St., Cairo, Ill., 62914.