DeLores J. Meiners

DeLores was born into the Wilhelms family on April 26, 1927 in Shannon, Illinois where she also grew up as a child. Her upbringing was framed by the great depression, World War 2 and the polio outbreak. Following her education, she became a school teacher with her first assignment being in a rural one room school house.

She married Jay Meiners on June 27, 1953 and they moved to Ashton, Illinois where they spent the rest of their lives. Together they raised a family of three boys on small town values and built a business (Crest Foods) that remains a thriving, culture-driven operation that is at the heart of Ashton today. Jay preceded her in death on October 2, 1988.

DeLores’ world revolved around her ever-expanding family where she was at the center of any activity or celebration. She loved to travel, her yard, flowers, birds at the feeders, and her dogs. She didn’t seem to know a stranger as she would talk with anyone. She was sassy, irreverent, found humor everywhere, had her own sense of style and enjoyed every bit of her 98 years.

DeLores leaves behind a blessed family of 3 sons: Steve(Mary-deceased), Jeff(Joan), Mike(Joyce) – 8 grandchildren: Garett(Candace), Erika(Dan), Gaven(Tracy), Brandon(Carly), Chelsea(Guillermo), Andra(Erik), Natalie(Justin), Marin(Jazmyn) – 10 great grandchildren: Warren, Wallace, Drew, Ryder, Tanner, Brileigh, Kaelyn, Bennett, Boyd, Etta.

Our world is a better place for having known DeLores.