Evelyn Ockerhausen, 83 of Eureka, IL, formerly of Milton, IL and Pittsfield, IL, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Eureka, IL.   

She was born May 20, 1926 the daughter of George John and Lela Bell Mattingly Goretzke in East St. Louis, IL.  She married Robert E. Ockerhausen April 22, 1950 in Bellflower, MO and he preceded her in death August 21, 2003.  

Evelyn was an active member of the First Christian Church in Pittsfield, where she enjoyed the fellowship of her beloved church family.  She worked for many years at the Pike County Health Department as a secretary.  While living in Pike County, she and her husband were members of the Pittsfield Dance club, as well as the Pike County Pork Producers.  They greatly enjoyed spending time on their forty-acre farm known as “Woodpecker Ridge,” where they fished, played cards, and entertained friends with ice cream socials.   Evelyn also was an avid gardener, and was proud of both her large vegetable gardens and her carefully tended flowerbeds.  

After moving to Eureka, Evelyn made many dear friends at Maple Lawn Apartments.  They remained devoted after she moved to the Health Center, attending church, playing cards or taking her on outings.  The staff at Maple Lawn became close friends as well, and she often spoke of her affection for them and her appreciation of their kindness.  Evelyn also treasured the company of her son Eric’s nieces, Kate and Emma Sylvester, who delighted her with love and companionship, and that of her “grandson” Maris Mednis, a foreign exchange student from Latvia that has made his home with Evelyn’s son Eric and wife JoAnne for three years.  

Her parents, husband Robert, one son Gary in 1966, and seven sisters and four brothers preceded her in death.

Survivors include one son Eric and wife JoAnne Thomas Ockerhausen of Peoria, IL, one brother, Glenn Gorentzke and wife Mary Ruth of New Florence, MO., and one sister Lela Cook of Warrenton, MO. 

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2009 at the First Christian Church in Pittsfield, IL. Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church. Burial will be in the Prices Branch Cemetery in Prices Branch, MO., at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 24.  Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements. 

A memorial service will be held at Maple Lawn, in Eureka, the first week in August, details pending. 

Memorials may be made to the Pittsfield First Christian Church Cross Roads Center.

Condolences may be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it