Ilene Essary, age 81, of Strafford, MO beloved Mother, Granny, Sister, and Friend, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 11:35 a.m. following a short battle with cancer. She was born August 30, 1933, in Strafford, MO, to O. Raymond and Lena (Rowe) Vaughn. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-eight years, George Essary, Jr, and her parents.
She was a member of Blvd. Baptist Church. Ilene enjoyed cooking, needle work, and quilting. Ilene worked several years in the printing industry. She was deeply loved by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-granddaughter.
Ilene is survived by a son, David Essary and wife Virginia, a daughter, Marilyn Briggs and husband Jerry all of Strafford, and a daughter, Barbara High and husband David of Foley, AL; nine grandchildren; Jennifer and Andrew Essary, Melissa Holman and husband Chris, and Trenton Briggs all of Strafford, Angela Moore and Michael Clayman of Nixa, Danielle Meads and husband Logan of Clinton, MO, Vanessa North and husband Aaron of Springfield, MO, Sarah Reynolds and husband Ray of Foley, AL, and Alisha Coleman and husband Brock of Kuna, ID; seventeen great-grandchildren, Saige and Ayden Moore, Westin Clayman, Dylan and Rhys Holman, Shylen Beebe, Ashlyn Meads, Ashley Hopper, Alyssa, David and Tristan North, Luke, Seth, and Izak Reynolds, Amelia Mae, Avery, and Owen Coleman; one great-great-granddaughter, Lily Hazel Hopper; one brother Dan Vaughn and wife Pat; nieces, nephews, and friends.
A celebration of Ilene’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 8, 2014, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, MO with Dr. Ray Reynolds, minister officiating. Burial will be held in Liberty Cemetery, north of Springfield. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Services have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, MO