Lelia Josephine Roundcount, 94, formerly of Eldred, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, at Calhoun Nursing Center.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 21, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fieldon. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Mrs. Roundcount was born Nov. 20, 1925, in Fieldon, to John and Elizabeth (Heitzig) Duggan. She married Gervese "Pop" Roundcount Dec. 31, 1946, at St. Mary's Westwood Catholic Church in Fieldon, and he preceded her in death on July 8, 2018.
During World War II, she was a "Rosie the Riveter" who represented the women working in factories to support the war effort. Her job was to inspect anti-aircraft detonators at Western Cartridge Company in East Alton, for which she was an honoree in the National WWII Memorial Registry in Washington, D.C.
She enjoyed country living on the farm, cooking, baking and canning for their large family. She also enjoyed the land, managing the farm book work, playing a competitive game of Euchre, and attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sporting events and more.
Daily, she prayed the rosary and never missed Sunday Mass. Education was also very important to her, and one of her proudest accomplishments was raising nine college-educated children. Their grandchildren greatly appreciated the monthly allowance that she and her husband offered them throughout their college years.
She is survived by her nine children, John (Karen) Roundcount of Eldred, Laura (Bob) Froemling of Glen Carbon, Bill (Sue) Roundcount of St. Peters, Ed (Debbie) Roundcount of Litchfield, Kevin (Suzanne) Roundcount of Grafton, Tammy Hainsfurther of Carlinville, Rodney (Tina) Roundcount of Edwardsville, and Lisa Higgins of and Melissa (Jeff) Kimble, both of Jerseyville; 24 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Betty Duggan of Fieldon; and her best friend for more than 80 years, Catherine Crader of Hardin.
In addition to her parents and husband of more than 71 years, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward (Gladys) Duggan and John Duggan; grandson, Dustin Hainsfurther; former son-in-law, Rob Higgins; and nephews, Bobby and Tommy Duggan.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or St. Francis/Holy Ghost School in Jerseyville.
