SPARTA – Edith Marie Fortner, 87, of Sparta, passed away at 8:30 AM, Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Coulterville Care Center.

Edith was born on March 29, 1929, in St. Elmo, Illinois the daughter of Clarence and Lola (Baker) Gillespie. She married Bill Fortner on, July 25, 1946, in Chester and they shared 57 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on March 29, 2004. Edith was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Walsh.

Edith is survived by her daughters; Billie Marie (Dennis) Robison, of Pinckneyville, Tamara Kay (Glen) Steele, of Percy, and Gaylynn (Keven) Kruse, of Ruma, 1 daughter – in – law; Sandra Fortner, of Steeleville, 9 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 1 sister; Doris Webster, of East Peoria, Illinois.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 son; Clay, 1 daughter; Margaret Wildermuth, 1 grandson, 1 brother; George, and 3 sisters; Audrey, Rosie, and Gloriann.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Friday, March 10, 2017, at the Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville, with Rev. Harold Weber officiating, and burial will follow at the Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening at the funeral home where friends may call from 6 to 8 PM, and then on Friday from 7:30 AM until the hour of service. Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America Troop 348 or Zion Lutheran Church.