Florence V. Raube Obituary (1913 - 2008)

PONTIAC -- Florence V. Raube, 95, Normal, died at 1:07 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 20, 2008) at Heritage Manor in Normal. She spent the majority of her life in Pontiac, until she and her husband retired and started wintering in Clearwater, Fla. She moved to Hudson in 1994 to be near her daughter. A private graveside service will be at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery, Pontiac, with the Rev. Grant Armstrong officiating. There will be no visitation. Duffy Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Hudson Fire and Rescue or The Children's Tumor Foundation, 2732 Queensway, Springfield, IL 62703. Florence was born June 14, 1913, in Jacksonville, daughter of Alvin and Lillie Dudgeon Johns. She married George Raube on May 20, 1933, at Cornell Methodist Church, Cornell. He preceded her in death in July 1989. Surviving are three sons, William (Peggy) Raube, George (Dee Dee) Raube and Charles (Shelby) Raube, all of Pontiac; daughter, Shirley (Robert) Vertrees, Hudson; brother, Everett "Bud" Johns, Pontiac; three sisters, Clara "Sis" Stevens, Champaign; and Dorothy Flurer and Mary Barb Wynistorf, both of Pontiac; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Her parents; three sisters; one brother; her son, Donald Raube; and four grandchildren preceded her in death. Florence was always active in her community. She had been a past president and life member of Saint James Hospital Auxiliary Post; past senior regent and member of the College of Regents of the Women of the Moose for 64 years; charter member of the VFW Post 886; American Legion Auxiliary 78; and 57-year member of the First United Methodist Church, Pontiac, where in her younger years was very involved with the youth group. She was a founder and volunteer for more than 33 years with the Red Cross bloodmobile, devoted to ensuring its success. She and her husband farmed in the Pontiac area all their lives. She was educated in Esmen Township and Cornell schools. Florence was very generous. She spent her entire life making sure that others were taken care of, a quality that made her a strong woman. She enjoyed making others feel good, and had a personality that was infectious. Florence took pride in her family as well as her garden. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Heritage Nursing Home for all the love and care they gave "Grandma" as they lovingly called her. They would also like to thank Dr. Susan Sheppard for her medical wisdom and the advice she gave in caring for Florence. She loved the garden, and it's there that she will surely wait; she will meet us by the roses just inside heavens gate.