Chatsworth – Lois L. Wallrich, 99, of Chatsworth, passed away at 7:05 a.m. June 1, 2024, at Evenglow Inn, Pontiac.

Her funeral will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, June 8, 2024, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chatsworth. Pastor Rich Likeness will be officiating. Burial will be in Chatsworth-Charlotte Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chatsworth or Evenglow Inn, Pontiac.

Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.

Lois was born October 1, 1924, in Charlotte Township and grew up on a farm northeast of Chatsworth, the daughter of Claude Sr and Mayme (Berlett) Wilson.

She received her elementary education at the Kerber School, a country school near the farm, before graduating in 1943 from Chatsworth High School.

During high school, she worked to earn tuition to attend Gallagher School of Business in Kankakee. Lois then worked at the University of Illinois Department of Agriculture in Champaign followed by the U.S. Army Air Forces War Department in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Chicago, most often traveling by train.

In December of 1946, she married Raymond Wallrich of Chatsworth. They lived on a farm north of Chatsworth for 23 years raising five children, Faye (Andrew) Viola of Savoy, Sheryl (Lynn) Frantz of Cullom, Mary Ellen (Don) Burnett of Villa Grove, Robert (Kathi) Wallrich of Chatsworth, and Gene (Sarah) Wallrich of Cullom; before moving in 1969 further north down the road to the Wallrich homeplace, and Raymond's birthplace, next to the Vermilion River.

Church was an important part of Lois' life and she enjoyed being involved in may of the activities at St. Paul Lutheran. In addition, she held office in the Chatsworth Jr. Women's Club and the Charlotte Home Extension. For many years, she was on the Charlotte Zipperettes Bowling team at Piper city and active with Ray in the Cosmos Dance Club in Pontiac.

Lois was well-known for her large flower and vegetable gardens and orchard fruits. Much of the summer was spent preserving the fruits and vegetables from the garden and orchard. Family favorites and frequent requests were for her homemade applesauce, cinnamon and dinner rolls, fried chicken, pies, fudge, Christmas cookies, and ice cream!

For many years she participated in the Cullom Junior Fair with numerous flower entries, winning Grand Champion at least twice.

Lois and Ray traveled extensively with family and friends over the years. A highlight was a trip to Hawaii for their 30th wedding anniversary. They were married 57 years before Ray's passing in 2004.

Lois is also survived by her grandchildren: Deanna (Greg Alston) Frantz, Jennifer (Alex Lopez) Frantz, Bryan (Molly) Wallrich, Lisa (Eric) England, Nicholas (Tori) Wallrich, Sabrina Wallrich, Summer Burnett, and Sunee (Matt) Hickman;l great-grandchildren:  Anya & Luke Alston; Layla Lopez; Claire, Grayson, & Gwyneth Wallrich; Ethan & Owen England; Emersyn Wallrich; and Abbigail & Madison Hickman; brother, Claude Wilson Jr of Dwight and sister, Mary Lou West of Knoxville. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Andrew J. Wallrich; infant brother, Claude Wayne; brothers, Clarence "Elwood", Vern, Dwain, John "Jack" and sisters, Lila Mae Dohman, Marilyn Dehm, Donna Hornstein, Frances "Tootie" Friedman.

Faith, family, friends…… as well as flowers and the farm…..were all important to Lois in her long, blessed life of 99 years and 8 months. Her extended family and friends will all miss her.