Mary Pearl Hitchings

Mary Pearl “Auntie Pearl” Hitchings, 104, of Litchfield, formerly of Raymond, passed away on Sun., June 23, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in Heritage Health Therapy & Senior Care in Litchfield.  She was born on July 23, 1914 in Raymond, IL, on the family farm, a daughter of Roman & Lena (Oberkfell) Herman, Sr.  She married Herschel F. Hitchings on May 14, 1933 in St. Raymond’s parsonage.  He preceded her in death on July 28, 1972.  She was a member of St. Raymond’s Catholic Church in Raymond and was active in the St. Raymond’s Altar and Rosary Society.  Auntie Pearl was a domestic housekeeper and cleaned the Raymond Post Office and Library.  She was the one and only Senior Queen of the Raymond 4th of July Celebration since 1986.  She enjoyed playing and hosting card parties, quilting, an avid Cardinal’s fan, raised chickens & sold eggs.  She was a wonderful cook and was famous for her noodles & angel food cake.  Auntie Pearl helped raise numerous kids.  She loved kids and even though she was never a mother on her own, she was a mother to many.  She is survived by:

Nieces and Nephews

Mary Francis “Toots” Walch of Raymond

Gail (Mike) Meisner of Raymond

Jack Wagahoff of Jacksonville

Jerry (Vi) Herman of Charleston

John (Cheryl) Herman of Raymond

Bob (Karen) Herman of Morrisonville

Great nieces:  Diane Bradbury, Judy (Earl) Law, Jean (Dan) Matthews, Janet Komor, Jackie (Wade) Clay, Jennifer (Roger) Anderson, Donna Wagahoff, Marlene (Carl) Marten, Debbie Massey, Jacklyn (Jeff) Still, Debbie (Bruce) Jokisch, Julie (Bill) Malach, Dana (Mike) Prather, Amy (David) Lovelady, Kristen (Trent) Seed, Kelly  (John ) Klopp, Kerri (Mike) Brockmeyer, Tara (Shane) Gilpin,  Katie (Gary) Dulak, Anjenete Way, Ashleigh (Adam) Rockwell

 Great nephews:  Dale (Rhea) Wagahoff, Jim (Diane) Wagahoff, Jerry (Donna) Wagahoff, Bob (Kate) Wagahoff, Carl (Janet) Walch, Rick (Debbie) Wagahoff, Kent (Kim) Wagahoff, Randy (Tammy) Wagahoff, Tod (Megan) Meisner, Ty (Marla) Herman, Ray Clem, Matthew (Maria Gabriela) Herman, Mark (Michele) Herman, Rush Herman, Zachary Herman, Noah (Betsy) Herman, Ben (Chelsea) Herman. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 3 brothers, Roman Herman, Jr., Raymond Herman & Louis Herman in infancy; 2 sisters, Opal Wagahoff & May Herman in infancy; 1 niece, Rena Lou Herman; 3 nephews, Bob, Harold, & Kenny Wagahoff; 2 great-nephews, Dan Wagahoff & Joe Wagahoff; 1 great-great-niece, Melinda Marten.

Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Fri., June 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Raymond’s Catholic Church in Raymond.  Very Rev. Albert Allen V.F. will preside.  Burial will be in St. Raymond’s Cemetery in Raymond.  Prayer service will be held on Thurs. at 2:45 p.m. at the church. Visitation will follow from 3 – 7 p.m.  Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.  The family suggests memorials to Tuberous Sclerosis Association, Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, IL, or American Diabetes Association.

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