Lois J. Wright

Danville - Lois J. Wright ,93, went to her heavenly home on Oct. 4, 2019 after a progressing illness.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Howard D. Wright; son, H. Dan Wright; daughter, Teresa Phelps; grandson Matthew Scherrer; parents Blanche Marie (Youngblood) & George Washington Taylor VanZandt; brothers, George & Jack VanZandt; sister Aileen (VonLee) Richards.  She is survived by three children:  Nancy (Mike) Linde, Jacksonville, FL; Carolyn (Steve) Scherrer, Roscoe, IL; Jack B. Wright, Sedgwick, Maine; daughter-in-law Belva Wright, Roscoe, IL; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces & nephews.

Lois was born in Rossville, IL March 16, 1926.  She grew up and enjoyed many years on a farm in Danville, IL and wrote about the fun and hard work of growing up in her book titled, “Life Began at Age 6”.  It was on the farm that she started a lifetime of pet friendships.  Lois enjoyed dancing and excelled in tap and acrobatic dancing.  She was drum majorette at Oakwood HS where she graduated.  It was in HS that she met Howard Wright whom she married at First Baptist in Danville, IL on August 19, 1945 after WWII and moved to Bloomington/Normal, IL where he graduated from the University of Illinois.  While in college, three of their five children were born in Normal, IL 1946-1950.  After graduation, they moved to St. Joseph, IL where her husband taught math, coached football & basketball and where the two youngest children were born.   A career change to insurance, for her husband,  resulted in several moves:  Champaign, IL 1954-1957; West Lafayette, IN 1957-1959; Champaign, IL 1959-1962; Poynette, WI 1962-1966; Madison, WI 1966-1974; West Palm Beach 1974-2009; and a last move for Lois to Rockford, IL.   Lois & Howard celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 19, 1995.

Lois was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach, FL for over 35 years.  She enjoyed her many friends there and working in the children’s library. Lois and Howard enjoyed sailing in their ketch, “Shibui IV”, out of Old Port Cove, North Palm Beach, FL, traveling, golfing, and competitively engaging family members in euchre tournaments.  She also enjoyed all forms of needlework and art projects.  More recently, in Rockford, IL Lois enjoyed attending church with her daughter, Carolyn Scherrer, and daughter-in-law, Belva Wright and visits from grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL with Rev. Paul D. Rebert, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Danville, Illinois. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from Noon to 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 717 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach, FL  33408 for Children’s Education.

Please join Lois’ family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .           

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.