Minola Catherine Sturm (nee Williams), age 96, died March 22, 2015, after a brief illness at her home in Elwood, surrounded by friends and family. Minola was born February 14, 1919, in Decatur. She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Jack; her beloved daughter, Sheila; her dear brother, Robert; her cherished sister, Peggy; and her parents, Robert and Minola Williams. She is survived by her devoted and loving daughter, Merrily Kennedy; her three grandchildren, Kerry (Sal) Reyes, Kristi(Sean Baney) Brand, and Jamie (Christi Cardwell) Kennedy; her ten great-grandchildren, Bob Pearce, Adam (Lauren) Reyes, Chase Robinson, Hannah Reyes, Sarah Brand, Abbey Brand, Jack Kennedy, Sean Kennedy, and Eric Kennedy; her three great-great grandchildren, Bailey, Lincoln, and Breland Reyes; her nieces and nephews, Angela and Bob Williams, Tom (Mike) Schlegel, Mary Ann (Bill) Hensley, Rosie (Pete) Sauer, and Gerry "Bo" (Mary) Schlegel and numerous grand nieces and nephews. Minola attended St. Teresa High School in Decatur. In 1939, she graduated from College of St. Francis. She was a gifted and much beloved teacher for many years, including teaching 3rd and 4th grade at St. Ray's and teaching French and Language Arts at Hufford Jr High. She still met regularly with the students from her first teaching assignment in Manteno. Minola was a Secular Franciscan at St. John's Church in Joliet, and was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church, Manhattan. She volunteered throughout her life with the CCW, Meals on Wheels, FISH, Will County Historical Society and numerous other activities. Together, with her husband, Jack, she founded the Shepherd's Table in 1985. She was an active member of JARTA, Alumni of USF, and Joliet Women's Club. She was an avid story-teller, extraordinary letter-writer, and lover of life, who gifted everyone with compassion, kindness, and joyful love. Funeral service for Minola will be 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 27, 2015 from Forsythe Funeral Home in procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 W. North St., Manhattan, for 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Visitation will be Thursday from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Manhattan. In the interest of Minola's life-long passion for helping others, the family requests an act of kindness towards someone, in her memory. Forsythe Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. (Rt. 52), Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythefuneralhome.com