Lena L. (Gibson) Willman

Lena L. (Gibson) Willman, 103, of Robinson, IL, passed away on November 20, 2023, at Robinson Rehab & Nursing. Many remember her as the centenarian who would often be seen mowing her yard on West Main Street, but her life had so many other facets that added dimensions of depth throughout her many years with us. Who better to speak to the intricate details found in the various chapters of her life than Lena herself?

"I was born December 30, 1919, to Andrew Jackson & Mary Alice (Dunlap) Gibson at Landes, IL (Southwest Township, Crawford County, IL). We lived 1 1/2 miles west of Landes. The Gibsons have been residents of Crawford County since the early 1800s, and, in fact, I am a direct descendant of Joseph LaMotte!

I had a sister, Opal Mynon Gibson, who was born on December 7, 1910, and passed away on January 10, 1995. My brother, William Lester Gibson, was born on October 22, 1915, and died on January 6, 1989. I was also preceded in death by my mother on November 18, 1962, and my father on August 30, 1971.

My grandparents, William Manore & Charlotte Ruth (Swan) Gibson, lived one mile west of Landes, known as Gibson Corner. My Aunt Grace (Gibson) Pepple had Chloe, Ralph, Robert, Cleo, and lost a set of twins; my Aunt Ada (Gibson) Conrad had no children; my Aunt Nola (Gibson) Piper had Leola, Marion, Robert, Maxine, Marvin, and Charlotte; and my Uncle Willie Gibson had Elsie, Leota, and Emma. Forty acres were given to each of the heirs. Nola, the youngest, got the home place plus 20 acres.

I was nine years old when my grandmother died of colon cancer and eleven years old when my grandfather died of pneumonia. I started school when I was four years old and was never tardy nor missed a day until I was in the 8th Grade, and had to stay home with the whooping cough and measles. I was in my third year of high school when my parents moved to take care of my Great Uncle Ed Swan, who was suffering from Alzheimer's. Opal, Lester, and I moved to Robinson and lived on South Cross Street - not too far from the park.

I soon met Lyle "Curley" Willman and dated off-and-on before he was drafted on January 27, 1941. Later that year, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, and we were married soon after, on April 13, 1942. I went with Curley to Camp Grant in Rockford, IL, on May 20, 1942, and we stayed there until he was shipped out to the Pacific islands on March 15, 1943. When Curley went overseas, I came home to live with my folks. When he came home on December 15, 1945, my mother said, "You can stay here with us." We lived with my parents for four years before building our own home at 907 E Main St.

Curley soon went to work at Piper's, and I went to work there later. I also worked as a waitress at the Quail Creek Country Club before landing at Crawford Electronics, where I spent 25 years in production. After Curley and I retired, we spent many winters in Florida."

Beyond her professional life, Lena's commitment to community service was par excellence. Zealous about local history, she was an active member of the Crawford County Historical Society, the Fort LaMotte Society, and the James Halstead, Sr. Chapter of the DAR. Her community commitments also included a 50-year involvement with both the Katherine Chapter of Eastern Star as well as the Robinson American Legion Post #69 Auxiliary.

A private person by nature, Lena had a fondness for life's quiet and simple pleasures. She had a lifelong love for creating, evident in her passion for quilting, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. A lover of the outdoors, she enjoyed camping and fishing. At home, she kept a well-tended garden full of produce like green beans and tomatoes and typically canned much of the fruits of her labor. Lena was also an avid letter-writer who was known to compose intricate, detailed letters that were usually 8 or 9 pages long!

In addition to these passions, Lena was known for her unflinching self-reliance. Notably, she never indulged in the simple luxury of buying herself a cup of coffee! Her vacation habits with Curley were characteristic of her resourcefulness and practicality. The couple often ditched hotel rooms, choosing to sleep in their car throughout their 35 years of Florida vacations. Lena lived much of her life on her own terms, showing a degree of independence that was uniquely her own. In fact, it could be said that Lena Willman lived life on her own terms and with a striking tenacity of spirit that will long be remembered by all those she leaves behind.

She is survived by her nephew, James & wife Linda McKee, their children, Jeffery D. McKee and Lisa (McKee) Higgins, and their families; by her niece, Mary Jo Billingsly, her children, Heidi Billingsly, Michael Billingsly, and Matthew Billingsly, and their families; by her niece, Connie & husband Dwain Peak, their children, Shelley (Peak) Williams and Amanda Raithel, and their families; by her nephew, James & Andrea Heimrich and their family; Glynda Gibson Humbarger; and by her niece, Judy Davis and her family.

A private family graveside will be held at the Robinson New Cemetery, and the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of these arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Fort LaMotte Society" or to the "Central Wabash Archaeology", and memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.