Date of Birth
Dec 11,1940
Date of Death
Mar 25,2004
SANDRA L. DeMERRITT,of Big Rock, IL, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2004 at the Kindred Hospital, Sycamore, IL after a long battle with respiratory illness.BORN / PARENTSShe was born December 11, 1940, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Elmer V. and Kathleen C. (Hague) Bushor.CHILDHOOD / EDUCATIONSandra grew up in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago until her freshman year in high school when the family moved to Aurora. She attended East Aurora High School and graduated with the class of 1958.MARRIEDShortly after graduation she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Donald P. DeMerritt. They made their home in Aurora until 1972 when they moved to Big Rock, IL. MEMBERSHIPSandra was a member of the English Congregational Church, Big Rock where she participated in the Women’s Evening Fellowship and served on the Diaconate Board.She also volunteered for many years at the Big Rock Plow Match where her award winning baked goods always brought high bids at the auction. Sandra was also a support volunteer for the Big Rock Fire Department and EMT services. LIFE NOTESSandra was gifted in arts and crafts as well as poetry. She hand made the silk arrangements for her daughter’s wedding and three of her many poems were published in a national anthology of U.S. poems. Sandra’s creative decor transformed the family home into a holiday wonderland at Christmas. Home-made cards were a specialty, complete with her annual Christmas poem. Christmas baking filled the house with mouth watering aromas and Santa’s "Early Elves" delivered new packages almost daily. SURVIVORSA loving wife and devoted mother and grandmother, she is survived by her husband of forty-five years, Donald DeMerritt of Aurora;One son, John DeMerritt and one daughter, Kathleen (Isidro) Gonzalez, both of Aurora. Two sisters, Sherrie Hershey and Susan Anderson, both of Phillips, WI;One brother Steven (Joan) Bushor of Hinckley, ILTwo step-grandchildren, Melanie and Chris Gonzalez of Oswego, ILAnd one, "adopted grandson", Brian Gonzales of Aurora, IL.Many nieces and nephews as well as a community of friends, all of whom will long remember her thoughtful ways, and the sparkle in her eye when she smiled. PRECEDEDShe is preceded in death by her parents. MEMORIALSA memorial to benefit respiratory disease has been established in her name. Memorial gifts and tributes may be mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.
SERVICES / VISITATIONVisistation will be held at Conley Funeral Home 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, Friday, April 2, 2004 from 4-8pm with funeral services to follow at 8pm
. Committal services will follow at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Rt. 30, Aurora, Saturday morning at 10:30am