Muriel Gillespie

BETHALTO, Ill.-- Muriel G. Gillespie, 82, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, at Christian Hospital Northeast in St. Louis.

She was born Feb. 18, 1921, in Bollinger County, Mo., daughter of the late William J. and Mattie C. Whittenburg Rea. She and Austin J. Gillespie were married Sept. 9, 1947, at Alton, Ill. He preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 1985.

Gillespie was a quality inspector at Owens-Illinois Glass in Alton and she was a member of St. Kevin's Catholic Church in East Alton, Ill.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah Lynn and Dennis Warner of Alton; two grandchildren, Angela Bartholomew and her husband Curt, and Jeremy Weber; three great-grandchildren, Kayla, Melissa and Tyler; a sister, Freda Gaines of Rosewood Heights, Ill.; and a brother, Mendle Rea of Jamestown, Calif.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Eva Clubb, Mamie Kerr and Delores Reeves; and three brothers, Lester, William and Hobert Rea.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Paynic Home for Funerals in East Alton, Ill. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Kevin's Catholic Church in East Alton. Father Delix Michel will officiate, with burial in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bethalto.