Iona Louise Rakers Obituary (1930 - 2009)

Iona Louise Rakers, 78, of Oconee died Friday, June 12, 2009 in her home. She was born September 19, 1930 in Pana, IL, eldest of 5 children of Homer C. Charlotte L. Walker Jones. A graduate of Pana High School Class of 1948, Iona lived in Pana, Herrick Oconee her entire life. She was a homemaker, co-owner/secretary/bookkeeper/financial officer/salesperson/feed bag handler of Rakers Mobile Feed Service for over 30 years; and involved in the family farming, helping Carl with whatever needed to be done. The Rakers' worked side-by-side, with no sick or vacation days, during their 58 year marriage. Iona loved babysitting her grandchildren great grandchildren, who loved her very much. She enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, crafts, as well as collecting everything from newspaper clippings to "old people" angel statues, which was well-organized, boxed, and labeled. Iona was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oconee, where she was baptized with Myrna Flesch as her sponsor. She was also a member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart Church; American Legion Auxiliary, Oconee for 55 years; Marriage Encounter; Pana Quarterback Club; Central Illinois Fox Coon Hunters Association; Pana Parkinson's Group. Iona always volunteered to work all of the fundraisers, such as the chicken dinners, Trap Shoot, the Oconee Fall Festival. Besides attending masses at the nursing homes, church cleaning, and being the treasurer for the Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund, she was a co-organizer of the Oconee Friends Reunion, and a committee member for raising funds to purchase the Pana Community Hospital. Iona served many years as one of the election judges for Oconee was a member of the Shelby County Home Extension Federation. She married R. Carl Rakers February 5, 1951 in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Oconee. Iona is survived by her husband: Carl Rakers, Oconee, IL; children: Patty Zahradka husband Chuck, Pana, IL; Larry Rakers, Normal, IL; Carol Hoehn husband Steve, Oconee, IL; 7 grandchildren: Rob Zahradka wife Maggie; Michael Zahradka; Rudy Zahradka wife Erica; Eric Rakers wife Janice; Jeremy Rakers; Damon Hoehn; Carrie Radford husband Justin; 14 great grandchildren: Raustin Zahradka, Rhett Zahradka, Madelyn Zahradka, Kalee Zahradka, Rudy Zahradka, Jr., Connor Rakers, Madison Hoehn, Sydne Radford, Jordan Radford, Justin Radford, Jr., Skylar Radford, Bryce Radford, Carlee Radford and Alvin Radford; brother: Edward "Butch" Jones wife Janet, Pana, IL; sisters: Eileen Dudra husband Richard, Pana, IL Sarah Johnson, Oak Harbor, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 great grandchildren: Kasey Karmen Zahradka; brother Homer Jones; nephew Louie Dudra. Funeral Information Funeral mass will be Friday, June 19, 2009 in Sacred Heart Church, Oconee at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. William F. Kessler officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Oconee. Visitation will be on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Sacred Heart Church, Oconee with rosary at 8 p.m.