Mary Pearl "Auntie Pearl" Hitchings, 104, of Litchfield, formerly of Raymond, died on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage Health: Therapy and Senior Care in Litchfield.
A prayer service will be conducted Thursday, June 27, beginning at 2:45 p.m. at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Raymond. Visitation will follow, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the church, with rosary at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 28, beginning at 10 a.m. at the church with the very Rev. Albert Allen, V.F. officiating. Burial will follow in St. Raymond Cemetery in Raymond. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Hitchings was born July 23, 1914, on the family farm in Raymond, to Roman and Lena (Oberkfell) Herman, Sr. She married Herschel F. Hitchings on May 14, 1933, in St. Raymond's parsonage, and he preceded her in death on July 28, 1972.
She was a member of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Raymond, and was active in the St. Raymond Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a domestic housekeeper, and cleaned the Raymond Post Office and library.
Mrs. Hitchings was the one and only senior queen of the Raymond 4th of July Celebration since 1986.
She enjoyed playing and hosting card parties, quilting, raised chickens, sold eggs and was an avid Cardinal's fan.
Mrs. Hitchings was a wonderful cook and was famous for her noodles and angel food cake. She helped raise numerous kids. She loved kids and even though she was never a mother herself, she was one to many.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Mary Francis "Toots" Walch, Gail (Mike) Meisner, John (Cheryl) Herman, all of Raymond, Bob (Karen) Herman of Morrisonville, Jack Wagahoff of Jacksonville and Jerry (Vi) Herman of Charleston; and several great-nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Hitchings was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Roman Herman, Jr., Raymond Herman and Louis Herman in infancy; two sisters Opal Wagahoff and May Herman in infancy; one niece, Rena Lou Herman; two great-nephews, Dan Wagahoff and Joe Wagahoff; and one great-great-niece, Melinda Marten.
Memorials may be directed to the Tuberous Sclerosis Association, Catholic Children's Home in Alton or the Diabetes Association.
For more information, to light a candle or sign the online guestbook, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
