Fern Lillian Menges

Fern Lillian Menges, 89, of Danville, died at 12:30am Tuesday November 18, 2008 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Fern was born August 16, 1919 in Homer the daughter of Bernhart and Helen Krueger Sunderman. On February 5, 1944, she married George Louis Menges at Fort Hood in Lampasse, Texas. He preceded her in death on September 21, 1994. Her son and daughter, Michael (Pat) Menges of Bismarck and Patricia Ehrnwald of Danville; also five grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, three great grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews survive Fern. Her parents, husband, son-in-law Dennis Ehrnwald, sisters Mabel Crawford and Nettie Lewis; brothers Herschel, Glenn, Kenneth, Chester, Everett, Melvin Sunderman and close nephew George Neuman preceded her in death. She was raised in the Allerton area and graduated from Allerton High School in 1937. In 1942, she graduated from St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing. While at St. Elizabeth Hospital, she was obstetrics supervisor for a number of years. She later left nursing to assist her husband with the family farm; however, her love and devotion for nursing continued throughout her entire life. Fern was a long time member of Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church and an active member of St. Elizabeths Nurses Alumni Association. She served for several decades as an election judge. Her favorite past-times included playing cards and traveling. Her utmost joy however was spending time with family and friends. She was looked upon by the ones she loved as the matriarch of the family. A celebration of Ferns life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday November 22, 2008 at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Pastor Glenn Huffman will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday from 11:00 until 2:00 and in the evening from 4:00 until 8:00pm. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Assoc. or the charity of choice. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com