Pearl Edna Mcgovern

Pearl Edna McGovern, 95, of Robinson, IL, died at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Sullivan, IN. She was born August 3, 1920, in Vigo County, IN, the daughter of Henry W. & Lusetta Wilbur Crossfield, in the tile house built by her father. She came to Illinois at a young age and spent most of her life in Crawford County. She attended rural one-room schools as a youngster, at times walking the distance of two miles. She left school after graduating from eighth grade, but was proud, at the age of 61, to complete high school through the GED program. In 1936, she married Elmo James McGovern. They lost three children in infancy, then were blessed with four children, Elmo Jr, Carolyn Sue, Marjorie Ann and Jack Richard. After almost 40 years of marriage, Elmo passed away. She is survived by two sons, Elmo & Beatrice, Durham NC, and Jack & Sandy, Pana IL, a daughter Marjorie Beabout, Robinson, IL, 6 grandchildren; Kimberly Crandall, Leonardtown MD, Jacinda Beabout, Robinson, Jack Jr. Flat Rock, Nancy Shidler, Don Culler and Georgia Littlejohn, Robinson. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. Her husband died in 1975, daughter Carolyn Sue Culler in 1998, three grandsons, Matthew Culler in 1978, Larry Beabout Jr. in 1986 and Jim McGovern in 2011. She is also predeceased by three sisters, Bethel Moore, Almarinda Newell, and Margaret Downing, and four brothers, William Smith, Joseph Crossfield, Wilbur Crossfield, and Arthur Crossfield. During her married life, Pearl worked at Allen Sanitarium for a while, then 16 years at the Ettelbrick Shoe Factory, and finally retired at age 65 after 10 years at L.S. Heath and Sons. Pearl was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Robinson. She belonged to the Rebekah Lodge for several years, and has enjoyed being a member of the D.A.R., of which she was still in good standing. She was raised in a Christian home, so she knew about her Lord from childhood, walking to church when she lived close enough, often walking with her father and mother four miles to attend. Even as a child the Lord called her name and in the night many times she has prayed and sung, praising the Lord, even after she accepted the Lord as her Savior. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 5th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson, with Pastor George Meese officiating. Burial will follow at the Grand Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will precede the service and will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Hope Baptist Church.