CASEY – Freda Rosalie Callahan Ulrey, 90, of Casey, passed away at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at Lutheran Care Center, Altamont. She was a cook for the Casey School District and co-owner of J&F Grocery in Westfield until her retirement.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Casey White Oak Church of God, with the Rev. Larry Howard officiating. Burial follows in the Casey Cumberland Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the service time Saturday at the church. Markwell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Ulrey was born June 20, 1926, in Clark County, the daughter of the late Charles Earl and Alma Rothrock Callahan. She married John E. Ulrey June 10, 1945, at Charleston, in the home of the Rev. John D. English, who introduced them. He passed away Oct. 12, 2004.
Survivors include her daughters, Mary Lou (Bruce) Thompson of Brazil, Ind., Sherri (Roger) Miller of Louisville, Kathy (Mike) Huddleston of Yale and Alesia (Kenny) Ridgley of Alton; grandchildren, John Wesley (Cathy Milner) Thompson, Bruce Thompson Jr., Maria (Chuck) Oswald, Amy (Steve) Miller, Cara (Tim) Rinehart, Neil (Theresa) Miller, Brandy (Dan) Noice, Steve (Patty Lowe) Richardson, Lori (Elam Lewis) Guerrettaz, Nic (Megan) Huddleston, Joshua (Shawna) Ridgley, Michael (Jackie) Ridgley and Jordan Ridgley; 30 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Robert Smith of Urbana; three nephews; two nieces; her church family; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Faye Simonton; and grandchildren, Mary Kathleen Thompson, Sheena Taneil Ridgley and Jessica Miller.
Mrs. Ulrey was a 1945 graduate of Casey High School. She was a proud farm wife and homemaker. She was a member of the Casey White Oak Church of God, where she taught Sunday school for more than 50 years, held many offices in the church and helped with youth activities.
A fourth generation Callahan to live on the family farm, Mrs. Callahan was proud when the property was designated a Centennial Farm in 1976. She enjoyed attending auctions quilting, gardening and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Casey White Oak Church of God, 3305 E. 1000th Rd., Casey, IL, 62420; Lutheran Care Center, 702 W. Cumberland Rd., Altamont, IL 62411 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.markwellfuneralhome.com.