Sara Ann Van Meter

MARION -- Sara Ann VanMeter, of Marion, died peacefully, Friday, July 23, 2004 with her loving family surrounding her, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where she had sought treatment for pancreatic and liver cancer. She was a 30-year survivor of breast cancer and deeply appreciated her Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority support of breast cancer research.

Sara was born to Alma and Walter Schroeder on June 5, 1936 in Mt. Vernon. Her parents preceded her in death. Sara was well known as a loving and caring homemaker to her husband and three children. She also enjoyed periods of employment as a teacher, tour guide, and visa clerk, the latter at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfort, Germany.

Sara married Larry VanMeter of Karnak, on June 14, 1959 in Mt. Vernon. They met and courted their senior year at Southern Illinois University. Their union was blessed with the births of Laura, Chris and Sally. Laura lives with her husband, Lee McElroy, in East Dundee. Chris resides in Minneapolis, Minn. Sally lives with her spouse, Dawn Pendleton, in Louisville, Ky. Sara dearly loved Seth, the infant son of Dawn and Sally.

Other surviving family members include sisters, Mary Sue and Roy Yeager of Houston, Texas, and Harriet Jane Hubka of Denver, Colo.; mother-in-law, Mary VanMeter of Anna; and sister-in-law, Manda Houseright of Anna. Nieces and nephews are Susan and Kurt Hackemer of Vermillion, S.D., Stephen Yeager of Seattle, Wash., Katherine and Blair Nicol of San Diego, Calif., Janet and Kevin Reynolds of Jonesboro, Lonnie and Missy Houseright of Eldorado and cherished grandnieces and grandnephews.

Visitation and viewing will be Thursday, from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden. Funeral services for family and church friends will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Cobden where Sara was an active member since 1993. A memorial celebration with her neighbors, square dance and out-of-town friends will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at her home in Crestwood Estates, Lake of Egypt. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Cobden, or to the American Cancer Society.

Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden is in charge of arrangements.

The Marion Daily Republican - Marion, Illinois, 7/28/2004

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