Martha Ellen (Ralston) Simpson

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Martha Ellen (Ralston) Simpson, 84, of 1104 Taylor St., Eldorado, died 11:43 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, at 108 Third St., Broughton.

Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at Watson Funeral Home in Eldorado with the Rev. Barry Bascom officiating. Burial will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at the funeral home.

She was born May 10, 1924, in Christopher to Harry and Bessie (Barton) Ralston. On March 2, 1940, she married Steve "Whistle" Simpson, who preceded her in death on July 22, 1984.

She was a homemaker and a member of College Heights Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son, Mike (Patsy) Simpson of Broughton; a very special friend of 20-plus years and second love, Bill Wood of Omaha; his children, Debra (Scott) Brown of Ridgway, Kent Wood of McLeansboro and Brent Wood of Omaha; a brother, Gary (Linda) Ralston of Eldorado; four sisters, Frieda Brewer of Pana, Dorothy Tice of Olney, Sharon Karnes of Eldorado and Dixie Ralston of Eldorado; two grandchildren, Shelly Simpson of Burbank, Calif. and Melissa Simpson of Mt. Carmel; a great-grandchild, Austin; and several nieces and nephews.

She will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate to know her.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Emil Ralston.

For those who wish, contributions may be made to Southern Illinois Hospice.