Ethel M. Hillygus-Dabels

Danville - Ethel C. Hillygus-Dabels, 90, of Danville passed away at 10:30 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville. She was born on May 13, 1924 in Chicago, IL to William A. and Ethel W. (Swanson) Carelson. She first married Glenn Hillygus, Sr. with whom she had two sons. She later married Norman Dabels on August 15, 1998. He preceded her in death on January 27, 2005. She is survived by a son, Paul Hillygus of Albuquerque, NM; two grandchildren, Bryan Olson of Tucson, AZ and Caitlin Hillygus of Portland, OR; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Jerry, Linda, and Mark Boyer and Karen Coveart. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Glenn Hillygus, Jr.; two brothers, William and Roy Carelson; and two sisters, Helen Trost and Doris Krukowski. After School, Ethel served her country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corp during WWII. She was active from 1944-1946. After her military service, she worked as a nursery school teacher at the Salvation Army, an Area Coordinator for the Department of Illinois Area Agency of Aging, a nursing home Activities Director, and also at the Key Club. She was a full time mother and enjoyed taking care of her family, having also acted as Den Mother for Cub Scouts. Ethel enjoyed arts and crafts and was a talented painter who contributed her work to a mural at Trinity Lutheran Church where she was a longtime member. She was also a choir member and was active in the Eunice Society at Trinity. A service to celebrate the life of Ethel Hillygus-Dabels will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville. Pastor Kent Tibben will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Tuesday, February 3 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society. Please join Ethels family in sharing memories, photos, and video of her life through her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.