Wilma Lee Foster Wathen

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Wilma Lee Foster Wathen, 78, of Equality, passed away at 1 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at her home after a long battle with breast cancer.

Wilma was born Nov. 4, 1930, in Ridgway to the late Joseph and Lottie (Baker) Foster. She was married to Eugene Arthur "Blackie" Wathen on June 6, 1951, in Ridgway. He preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1973.

Wilma was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ridgway. She retired as coordinator of the Gallatin County Golden Circle in 1996. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society and the Gallatin County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Wilma is survived by a son, James Wathen of Forrest City, Ark.; three daughters, Cheryl Alexander of Harrisburg; Mary Reljic of Springfield and Karen and Doug Walters of Ridgway; one daughter-in-law, Tina Wathen of Ridgway; two brothers, Judge Don and Fay Foster of Ridgway, Bertis and Jackie Foster of Metropolis; one sister-in-law, Carol Foster of Harrisburg; six grandchildren, Kyle Alexander of Harrisburg, Alex and Kate Reljic of Springfield and Maggie, Aaron and Isaac Walters of Ridgway.

She was preceded in death by parents; husband; a son, Don Wathen; brother, Gene Foster; one grandson, William Ashton Walters; two sons-in-law, Jeff Walters and John Alexander; and two sisters-in-law, Helen Vineyard Foster and Martha Hines Foster.

Wilma touched so many lives. Her love for her family and friends was unconditional and her faith in God unwavering.

Visitation for Wilma will be 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2009.

Father Mark Stec will be officiating with burial at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gallatin County Golden Circle in Ridgway, St. Joseph Cemetery Ridgway Fund or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Internet condolences may be made at the Internet site www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.