LaVerne Hudgens

LaVerne Marie Hudgens, age 82, of Marion, passed away at 7:37 P.M. on Friday, January 8, 2010 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on the Island of Kauai in Lihue, Hawaii. Mrs. Hudgens was born July 17, 1927 the daughter of William & Marie (Hoppe) Mueller in St. Louis, Missouri. She married Dr. William L. Ripley on April 24, 1948 in Imperial, Missouri. They moved to Marion in 1950 and he preceded her in death on July 24, 1985. On June 6, 1987 she married Bill Hudgens in Marion and he preceded her in death on October 4, 1991. She began teaching school in the Marion Unit #2 school district in 1965 and taught for 20 years. She taught 4th grade at Longfellow School for most of her career. While married to Bill Ripley, she was a 35 year member of the Zion United Church of Christ. For the last 24 years she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She also was a member of PEO, NEA, IEA, IRTA, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Marion Cultural and Civic Center Foundation and longtime member of the Franklin County Country Club. Mrs. Hudgens is survived by; Daughter Dianne Klein and husband Dr. Christopher Klein of Mt. Vernon Grandson Brian Michael Klein of Mt. Vernon Step-son Larry Hudgens and wife Shelley of Bass Harbor, Maine Step-Granddaughters; Hillary Enloe and husband Aaron of Montgomery, Missouri Heather Hudgens of Marion Holly Hudgens of Marion Brother in law Nelson Roesch of Imperial, Missouri Nephews; Gary Mueller and wife Sherry of Imperial, Missouri Dennis Mueller and wife Ruthann of Arnold, Missouri Preceded by Parents, Husbands, Grandson Brennan Christopher Klein on February 12, 2002, Brother Harold Mueller, Sister Esther Roesch and Step son Bob Hudgens. Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Victor Long officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be held from 5-8pm on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Mitchell-Hughes. For those who prefer memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Zion United Church of Christ. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959.