Johnnie M. Ital

Johnnie M.  Ital, nee Pate, 93, of Harrisburg, Illinois, died April 10, 2017, in Waterloo, IL. She was born June 29, 1923, in Tilden, MS.

    Ms. Johnnie Mae went home to be with her Lord Monday night April 10, 2017. She was born June 29, 1923.  Johnnie is survived by sons, Larry (Dorothy) Ital of Belleville; Keith Ital Sr. (Jackie) of Harrisburg; Joseph Ital; and a daughter Janice (Allan) Keim of Waterloo.  Eight grandchildren Larry David (Karen) Ital; Donald (Andrea) Ital; Keith Ital Jr.; Jesse (Katie) Ital; DeAnn (Tom) Hughes; Jennifer Mae (Ray) Frame; Jeffrey (Tracey) Ital; Ian (Laura) Ital. Twelve great grandchildren Keith, Madison, Noel, RJ and Liam Ital; Aaron, Doug and Rachelle DeNoon; Blake and Haley Mae Frame;  Hallie DeAnn and  Ava Kate Hughes.  Johnnie Mae is survived by a sister Isa Eloise (nee Pate) Giernoth of Zion, IL and a sister in law Brenda Pate of New Wren, MS as well as many nieces and nephews.  

    She was preceeded in death by her parents,  husband Henry W. Ital Jr. and son Edward Ital and  8 siblings. 3 brothers: Melvin Leecil Pate; Ackles Leo Pate; George D. Franklin Pate and  5 sisters; Enola Ann (nee Pate) Powell; Etah (nee Pate) McMickin; Euple Nell (nee Pate) Watkins; Eugenia Ruth (nee Pate) Smith; Charlie Ray (nee Pate) Hurley.

    She was the oldest daughter of share cropper John Booker and Susie Mae (nee Steele) Pate. As was the custom of those times, she was depended upon to help raise her younger siblings as well as helping in the fields.   At the early age of 18, she left the rural farm life to go work in the shipyards of Zion, IL (during WWII) to help support her family back in Mississippi.  She enjoyed her family, gardening and her flowers.  She was well known for canning jars upon jars of vegetables and soup, to carry us through the winter. 
            She had a big heart and was always ready to help her family.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to: 
Waterloo Senior Center or Donor's Choice

Visitation:
    10 AM until time of service Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Quernheim Funeral Home
      

Funeral:
    2 PM Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
        Pastor Steve Neill officiating
    Interment at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo, IL