Estalee Culvey, 91 years, passed to heaven on March 31, 2011 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, Mo., with her family by her side.
Estalee was born March 31, 1920 in Keenes, Ill., to Ira and Clara (Shook) Bruce. She attended the Pine Knot School in Keenes, Ill.
On June 18, 1937, Estalee and Merrill L. Culvey were united in marriage in Oregon, Ill., and to this union five children were born.
Estalee was a clerk for Kopps Bakery for 10 years. She also had worked for J.L. Clark can factory. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, baking, cooking, painting, flower gardening, camping and had traveled to 46 of the 50 states.
She was a member of the Oak Grove General Baptist Church, Wasola, and a charter member of Ava Art Guild and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Squires Fire Dept.
Estalee was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merrill; one granddaughter, Colleen McCoy; one great-grandson; two great-granddaughters; and an older brother, Clayton Bruce.
Estalee is survived by five children, Eileen McCoy and husband, Neil, Ava, Mo., Marilyn Blake and husband, Robert, Frederic, Wisc., William L. and James Culvey, both of Belvidere, Ill., and Daniel Culvey and wife, June, Marion, Ky.; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harold Bruce and wife, Anita, Bolivar, Mo., Aaron Bruce and wife, Vern, Bluford, Ill.; two sisters, June Shreve, Cisne, Ill., and Jewel Darnell, Sandy, Utah; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Estalee were Monday, April 4, at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with burial in the Girdner Cemetery. Visitation was Sunday, April 3, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating were the Rev. Dwain Moore and Pastor Charles McFarland. Memorials may be made to the Girdner Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
