Doris Ethelyn Latimer

Doris Ethelyn Latimer, 87, of Stonecroft Retirement Community Village in Mendota formerly of rural Earlville, IL passed away Monday, October 7, 2013 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. She was born June 26, 1926 in Horton, KS the daughter of Ernest and Bernice (Hoffman) Cornell. Doris attended Phillips University in Enid, OK for two years. She married William Thomas Latimer on August 21, 1949 in Grandview Christian Church in Kansas City, KS. Doris served the Presbyterian Church in various roles for over 60 years. In 1953 she was ordained as one of the first female Elders of the Presbyterian Church. She was installed as the 21st Moderator of the Presbytery of Blackhawk in January 1992. Doris served on numerous Presbytery Committees and was a board member of National United Presbyterian Women. Doris was a commissioner to the General Assembly, commissioner from the Blackhawk Presbytery to Synod, member of the reorganization committee that guided the United Presbyterian Women into the Blackhawk Presbytery, member of the National Executive Committee, and chair of the manual committee. Doris wrote, typed and assembled the new guidelines for the Presbyterian Women and distributed over 20,000 manuals to churches throughout the United States. She served on the Women’s Opportunity Giving Fund Committee and assisted in deciding where to allocate funds to health ministries and new church missions. Doris continued to be an active congregation and session member of the First Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw, IL until her death. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Doris was a proud farmer’s wife and enjoyed spending time with her family.

Doris is survived by her husband, William of Mendota; four daughters, Carol Marie (Richard) Wax of Fairfax Station, VA, Susan Jane (Albert) White of Nashville, NC, Sandra Jean Latimer of Chicago, IL and Nancy Anne (Gary) Chemelewski of Colleyville, TX; eleven grandchildren, Katharine (Raymond) Sherman, David (Ann) Wax, Andrew (Leah) Wax, Jason (Kristine) Phillippe, Steven (Jennifer) Phillippe, Kevin Phillippe, Adam (Raquel) Labotka, Matthew Labotka and Lori Labotka, William (Katharine) Chemelewski and Robert Chemelewski; one step-grandchild, Chris White; nineteen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; one sister, Emma Christine (Vernon) Green of Olathe, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Juanita Grace Connelly, and one brother, Ernest Eugene Cornell.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Paw Paw Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw with Reverend Dr. Anne Hoflen officiating. The family invites everyone to join them for a luncheon following the memorial service in the Paw Paw Community Building. Graveside services will take place after the luncheon in Precinct Cemetery in Earlville. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be directed to Paw Paw Presbyterian Church, Neighbors In Christ Ecumenical (N.I.C.E.) or The Red Cross.