Wilma J. Karushis of Chester

Wilma J. Karushis, 91, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 4:59 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home in Chester.

She was born to the late Wilmer and Elva (nee Wood) Mansker on Feb. 10, 1928 in Rockwood, Illinois. She graduated from Gorham High School and took art classes in Chicago. She continued painting for years.

She had been previously married to Ralph Mansker. Then she married Thomas R. Karushis on May 19, 1956 in Ellis Grove, Illinois; he preceded in death on Feb. 4, 2017.

Wilma had been a homemaker.

She was a member of St. Mary Church of Divine Maternity in Ellis Grove. She enjoyed playing Bingo and going to the riverboats to gamble.

Wilma is survived by two daughters, Gina Waltemate of Farmington, Missouri and Pamela Harnage of Chester; one sister, Clara Perjak of Fort Wayne, Indiana; six grandchildren, Angela, Edward, Lisa, Michael, Jeffrey and Amanda; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Thomas; two daughters, Cynthia Siedler and Patricia Mansker; one granddaughter, Gwen Siedler; one brother, Albert Mansker; and one sister, Mary Draves.

The funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 22 at St. Mary Church of Divine Maternity, Ellis Grove, with Father Larry Lemay officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, in Chester.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 and again from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, both at Pechacek Funeral Homes, in Chester.

Memorials to the American Cancer Society woud be appreciated.

To view this obituary and sign the register book visit www.wpfh.net.