Zola Jean Searl

Zola Jean Searl, 85, of Sandwich, passed away July 21, 2019 at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. She was born March 23, 1934 to Raymond and Cecile Ward (Burgess) in Kirksville, Missouri. She married Ronald Searl on August 4, 1956 in Highwood, Illinois and they were happily married for 57 years.

She attended the National College of Education in Evanston, IL from which received a bachelor's degree in education.  She was a school teacher for over 40 years teaching Kindergarten at Centennial and P.H. Miller Elementary schools in Plano, IL as well as other grades in Jacksonville and Highland Park, IL.

She was a member of the Sandwich Moose Lodge; of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sandwich, IL; of the Kendall County Republican Women organization; and of the Kendall County Retired Teachers organization.

Following retirement Zola frequently substitute taught in the Sandwich grade schools. She also enjoyed playing Bunco, Bingo and lunching with friends. Zola also enjoyed participating in various bus trips organized by the Fox Valley Older Adult Services - Senior Center in Sandwich IL.

Zola volunteered her time teaching Sunday school at the Plano United Methodist Church (UMC); served on the Plano UMC Parish Committee, volunteered for the local Meals on Wheels program, and volunteered at the Sandwich Stone Mill Museum and Historical Society.

She is survived by her sons, Ronald (Susan Frick) of Westmont Illinois, Richard (Beth) of Sheridan Illinois; her daughter, Jennifer (Todd) Clason of Plano; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; her brother, Leon (Debbie) Ward of the Villages, Florida; and her sister Lela (Leo) Ippolito of McHenry, IL.  Zola was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald, parents Ray and Cecila Ward and stepmother (Helen), two brothers, Ralph and Richard, and her twin sister Zelma.

Visitation will be Friday, July 26, 2019  from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be Friday, July 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2465 W. Sandwich Rd., Sandwich, Illinois with Pastor David Kaul officiating.

Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Hinckley, Illinois.

Memorials may be directed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Sandwich, IL and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Services were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home, Sandwich, Illinois. www.beveragefamilyfh.com