Mrs. Drusilla (Friend) Moran Howard

Mrs. Drusilla A. Howard , 99, of Galesburg, passed away at 12:13 pm Friday, April 12, 2019 at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center, Galesburg.

Drusilla was born March 11, 1920 in Galesburg, the daughter of William and Sophia Carlson Friend.  She married Francis Moran in 1938, he preceded her in death in 1993.  She later married Paul Howard in 1998.  He preceded her in death in 2006.

She is survived by her two daughters, Peggy (Richard) Thompson of Chillicothe, Illinois and Penny (Mark) Wiechert of Galesburg, Illinois; her brother, Jerry Friend of Galesburg; her sister Sharon (Gary) Shipplett of Abingdon, Illinois; three grandchildren, Michele (Robert) Schueffner of Fayetteville, Georgia, Kelly (Tim) Reddy of Morton, Illinois and Christy Eckhoff of Chillicothe, Illinois and seven great grandchildren, Andrew and Benjamin Schueffner, Nathan and Owen Reddy, Ceciley, Jonah and Camden Eckhoff.  She is preceded in death by a brother, David Friend and a sister, Phyllis Bowden.

Drusilla worked at Brown, Lynch, Scott as a retail clerk, Dorn’s Trucking Company as a secretary and Kruetzer’s Hobby House.  She also enjoyed serving as an election judge for many years.  Drusilla was of the Baptist faith.  One of her proudest moments was receiving her GED.  She was also a member of a ladies bowling league.  She was an avid craft person.  She loved to create and share numerous projects with family and friends.  Sewing, crocheting, painting and ceramics were just some of her many interests.  Reading was also a passion and she read many novels from her Kindle.

Her greatest joy was her grandchildren.  In their memories, they include stories of stuffed animal repairs and creating Halloween costumes using her sewing abilities.  Times shared playing board games, building doll houses, working crossword puzzles and decorating her home for all of the holidays.

Favorite meals on the weekends, which included mouthwatering roast beef and potatoes and the best peanut butter fudge ever.  Quiet summer mornings at the kitchen table playing her favorite board game, Irish checkers with the sounds of her soft hands gliding across the game board.  She shopped for prom and wedding dresses with them.  Cherished moments they spent her with that shaped their lives.

Although she is no longer with us physically, there is a peace that passes all understanding and a sense of comfort knowing she is still with us.  Our bond was so strong and she loved us so deeply that we know she will always watch over us and be near.  We will miss her desperately, but feel a tremendous sense of gratitude for all the wonderful times we enjoyed with her.  The greatest thing we can do to honor her is to follow her example for celebrating life and doing what we can to make our loved ones feel special.

A butterfly to remind us

Even though we are apart

Her spirit is always with us

Forever in our hearts

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2019 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg Chapel.  Memorial Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 11:00 a.m., Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. Rev. James Ecklund will be officiating Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the family. 

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