CENTRALIA — Wilma June Heath, 96, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 6:15 P.M. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois. She was born on October 7, 1926, in Grand Chain, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas and Madeline (Carver) Hanks. She married Thomas S. “Cotton” Heath on October 14, 1946, at Trinity Methodist Church in Paducah, Kentucky, and he preceded her in death on June 9, 2014.
Mrs. Heath is survived by her loving family, sister, Nancy Temple of Louisville, Kentucky; nieces and nephew, Tracy Friedlein of Atlanta, Georgia, Melissa Pederson and husband Jeff of Toronto, Ontario, and Thomas Temple and wife Sheena of Inyokern, California; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Madeline Pederson, Sarah Pederson, Brandon Temple, Westin Temple, Thomas Temple, and Adeline Temple.
In addition to her husband of 67 years, Mrs. Heath was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Hanks and Madeline Hanks; daughter, Darlene Heath; and brother-in-law, Dove Temple.
Mrs. Heath was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Centralia, Illinois. She volunteered with the Pink Ladies at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois, for many years. Wilma was a devoted mother to her daughter, Darlene, until she passed away at the age of 50. She enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas with her husband over the years to make a donation to local establishments. When she wanted to quench her thirst, she would partake of a very dry martini. Wilma loved watching the very beautiful Cardinal birds in her yard and eating M&Ms candies – plain or peanut.
Mrs. Heath retired as a bookkeeper and clerk from Clement’s Jewelry Store in Paducah, Kentucky. Before marrying her husband, she was a receptionist at a dentist’s office in Paducah, Kentucky. Wilma graduated with Tilghman High School’s “Class of 1944” in Paducah, Kentucky. She lived in Centralia, Illinois, for many years, and previously lived in Paducah, Kentucky.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Wilma June Heath will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, October 31, 2022, at Maplelawn Park Cemetery in Paducah, Kentucky, with Pastor Mark Myers officiating. Interment will follow in Maplelawn Park Cemetery in Paducah, Kentucky.
Friends are invited to visit with Mrs. Heath’s family from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. on Monday, October 31, 2022, at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Heath’s honor to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital’s Pink Ladies and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Mrs. Heath’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.