Wilma C. Defend

Wilma C. Defend of rural Carlyle died Thursday, October 20, 2011 at the Carlyle Healthcare Center in Carlyle at the age of 92. She was born in Washington County, Illinois the daughter of August and Alvena (Pries) Nehrt. She married Raymond Defend on November 7, 1937 in Ferrin, Illinois and he preceded her in death on June 9, 2000.

Mrs. Defend is survived by her children: Darlean Mosher and husband Randy of Tacoma, Washington, Dolores Onken and husband John of Elgin, Illinois and Lenard Defend and wife Mary Sue of Shelbyville; a daughter-in-law: Jeanne Defend of Edwardsville, Illinois; a sister: Georgia Evans of Mascoutah, Illinois; a brother: Menard Nehrt and wife JoAnn of O’Fallon, Missouri; nine grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son: Howard Defend; and a grandson: Jeff Defend.

Wilma was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ferrin and was devoted to her family. She was very comfortable being a farm wife.

Funeral services will be Sunday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ferrin at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Scott Nierman officiating. The interment will follow at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Ferrin.

Friends may visit with the Defend family at the Frerker Funeral Home on Saturday from 5 to 8:00 P.M. or on Sunday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ferrin from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services.

Expressions of sympathy are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.