Marian "Sis" L. Elias

Marian “Sis” L. Elias, 92 of Streator passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday evening (Feb. 24, 2015) at Liberty Village, Streator.
A visitation will be held Friday from 5 – 7 PM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home and Saturday from 10 – 11 AM at Central Church of Christ.  Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 AM at Central Church of Christ.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons Kevin Finnegan, Chad Cusac, Christopher Elias, Errol Pedelty, Robert Pedelty and Ian Pedelty.
Marian “Sis” was born on November 15, 1922 in Streator to Thomas and Olive Mae (Coleman) Broad.  She married Louis J. Elias on June 29, 1940.  He passed away on November 29, 1988.
Surviving are children Sharon (Rod) Garrett of Streator, Mari Lou (Chuck) Cusac of Rutland, James L. Elias of Streator, Melanie (James J.) Hersheway of Streator and Lori (Todd) Pedelty of Streator, 18 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Marian is preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 great-grandchildren, and 4 brothers James, Richard, Ralph and Kenneth Broad.
She graduated from Streator High School in 1940 and was active with the Streator Canteen during WWII and a member of the Central Church of Christ faithfully all of her life.
A true celebration of Marian’s life was held the whole week of February 10th through Valentine’s Day weekend. Marian shared joy, love and music with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and dear friends. On Valentine’s Day she enjoyed three concerts by friends and family singing love songs and favorite hymns.
Throughout her life, Marian conducted her own personal birthday card ministry to all the primary aged children of Central Church that she met. She would send a card adorned with stickers and pictures of their favorite things so they knew it was made for them, by her, with love.
Even at 92, Marian was “booked” socially four days out of seven with every Tuesday being dedicated to lunch with all of her children affectionately called “sister lunch”, breakfast with friends, church and family outings. She was always known for her bag of candy in her purse, a staple at all the grandkids sport events. If there was a family party, Marian was there.
Marian gave her family her last treasured day, on Tuesday, usually a sister lunch day and the same day of her husband’s birthday - what a gift it must have been for him! All that knew her will miss her so very much in so many ways.
Memorials may be made in Marian’s name to either St. Jude’s Children Hospital or Central Church of Christ.