Sophie J. Pakula Obituary (1939 - 2017)

Sophie J. Pakula, 77, of Flanagan, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017 at BroMenn Medical Center in Bloomington, IL. Her service will be held Friday, November 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac, IL with burial at Naylor Cemetery in Naylor, MO at a later date. Visitation will be Friday, November 24, 2017 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Sophie was born December 7, 1939 in Kewanee, MO to Elijah Roland and Ova (Deaton) Gardner. She married Richard G. Pakula in LaSalle, IL. He passed away in 2000. She is survived by her sons, Richard G. (Jessica Fitzsimmons) Pakula of Cornell, IL, Marshall R. (Angela) Pakula of Dwight, IL, Joseph L. (Barbara) Pakula of Flanagan, IL; daughters, Edith L. (Alan) Smith of Utica, IL, Camillia J. (Rob) Stevens of Knoxville, TN, Debra A. Gibbons of Gibson City, IL, Barbara (Rob) Edwards of Pontiac, IL, Jean M. (Ross) Konrad of Rockford, IL; brothers, Everret Gardner and Don Gardner, both of Missouri; sisters, Jhoany Lenard and Shirly Gardner, both of Missouri; 31 grandchildren; and many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; brothers, Paul Gardner, Buck Gardner, Henry Gardner, and Peck Gardner; sisters, June Chanel, Joy Tomas, Flory Gardner; step brothers and sisters, Roy Gardner, Meral Gardner, Evlan Gardner; son, Steven Pakula; daughter, Cindy Huff; and grandson, Jonathan Bennington. Sophie attended schools in Doniphan, MO and was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Flanagan, IL. Memorials may be made to the family or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.