Opal Miriam Roszell of Decatur,IL passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in St. Mary’s Hospital.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012at St. Paul’s LutheranChurch, 352 W. Wood Street, Decatur, ILwith Rev. Wray Offermann and Rev. Rob Mrosko officiating. Immediately following the service the family wishes to invite friends for a time of reception at the church. Interment will be in the Parkview Cemetery in Peoria, IL at 3:30 p.m.Saturday afternoon. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with services. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Herbert L. Roszell Jr. Scholarship Foundation at St. Paul’s LutheranChurch. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com
Miriam was the daughter of Nicholas M. and Ida M. Backes. She graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL with a degree in Sociology. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and President her senior year.
She married Herbert L. Roszell Jr. onNovember 13, 1943and they were long time residents ofDecatur,IL. She was President of the Jr. Welfare and President of the board at the Girls Home of Decatur-Webster Cantrell Hall. Miriam had been a member of the PEO Chapter BW since 1955 and was actively involved in numerous golf events and memorials at the Country Club of Decatur. The Country Club of Decatur surprised her by honoring one day as ‘Miriam Roszell Day.”
Surviving is her sister: Eileen Hughes of Wheaton, IL; nieces: Pamela Finkbeiner and her husband Richard of Paradise Valley, AZ, Victoria Flint and her husband Richard of Bloomington, IN and Candice Trapp and her husband James of Minneapolis, MN; nephew: Tracy Beck and his wife Jan of Portland, OR; many great nieces, great nephews, and cousins also survive.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband: Herbert L. Roszell Jr., her parents, and her sister: Betty Jane Beck.
Miriam was a special lady who deeply loved her family and friends.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Dan Smith and his nurse Karen Carlson for their love and compassion.
