Virjean Elizabeth "Jeannie" (Gretencord) Applebee

MARSEILLES – Virjean Elizabeth “Jeannie” Applebee, 74, of Marseilles passed away Sunday, September 2, 2012, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at St. Columba Church with Reverend David M. Kipfer celebrating.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday with prayers at 9:15 a.m. at Gladfelter Funeral Home.  Private burial will be at a later date.

Virjean was born January 5, 1938 in Ottawa, the daughter of Joseph Henry and Luella Ruth (Grandadam) Gretencord.  She married Virgil H. Applebee on May 5, 1956 in Ottawa.  She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Virgil, of Marseilles; her children, Luann (Larry) Yackley of Minooka, Julie Van De Warker of Marseilles, Timothy (Lorri) Applebee of Marseilles and Gina (Mark) Armstrong of St. Charles; her brother, Joe (Sherri) Gretencord of Ottawa; and five grandchildren, Erin Applebee, Laura and Emily Van De Warker, Kyle Applebee and Elizabeth Armstrong.  Her parents preceded her in death.

Virjean was a member of St. Columba Church and Catholic Daughters of the Americas.  She was a former switchboard operator for Illinois Bell Telephone in Ottawa.  After raising her family she became the manager for Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for the United States Department of Agriculture from which she later retired.  Her pastimes included sewing, gardening, and canning vegetables.  Many friends and neighbors proclaimed Virjean as “The Best Pie Baker of Rutland Township”.  She was devoted to her family and cherished her time spent with her grandchildren and her dog “Charlie”.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Loyola Bone Marrow Transplantation Program at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, Illinois 60153 or the American Diabetes Foundation.