Winona Koebrich

Winona Lee Koebrich, 82, of Danville, passed away at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2007 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Winona was born on November 17, 1924 in St. Bernice, Indiana, the daughter of Harry E. and Hazel M. (Malone) Hopewell. She married Edward C. Koebrich Jr. on December 29, 1945 in Danville at St. Pauls Catholic Church. He survives. She is survived by her three sons- Terry E. (Carol) Koebrich of Danville, Mark E. (Cathy) Koebrich of Centennial, Colorado, and Jeffry M. (Teresa) Koebrich of Danville; four daughters- Christine A. (Fred) Freidenstein of Duluth, Georgia, Mary M. (Louis) Reik of Danville, Susan M. (Tim) Green of Austin, Texas, and Sharon M. (Ross) Kness of St. Charles, Missouri; two sisters- Dorothy L. Duncan of Palatine, Illinois and Joyce A. (Bill) Cook of Terre Haute, Indiana; fourteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Winona was preceded in death by her parents. Winona graduated from Danville High School in 1942. After graduation she attended Illinois State University, as a journalism major. A devout Catholic and member of St. Pauls Catholic Church, Winona spent her life caring for her family of seven children. When her youngest child entered third grade, she began working at the Danville Commercial News. She began as a reporter in Georgetown, until her transfer to the Danville office to work with Jean Byram, then the editor of the People section of the newspaper. In 1984 she and her husband retired and traveled for about ten years around the United States, something they had both looked forward to after retirement. They built a lake home near Riley, Indiana, where they and their family enjoyed many days of fishing and hiking around the area. Winona enjoyed writing, reading, tennis and playing cards with her friends. Winona loved spending time with her children and her grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2007 at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Danville, with Father Greg Nelson officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 " 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center. A rosary service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Entombment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in Danville. Memorials may be made to the International Rett Syndrome Association, 9121 Piscataway Road, #2B Clinton, MD 20735. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.