Dora Bernice (Atherton) Couch

Dora Bernice Couch, 103, of Pittsfield, IL and formerly of Pearl and Nebo, died at home surrounded by family on March 10, 2026.  Dora was born February 4, 1923, in Maquoketa, Iowa to the late William Er and Eva Bell (Ward) Atherton. She was the youngest of eight children.  She married Kermit Willard Couch on January 27, 1946. Kermit passed away May 12, 1995. 

Mrs. Couch was a 1941 graduate of Pearl High School. She was a long-time member of the former Nebo Christian Church, then attending the Pittsfield and Nebo Churches of the Nazarene. She worked for several years at the Western Cartridge in East Alton before her marriage. She and Kermit operated service stations in Clayton, Jerseyville and Pittsfield, before farming for many years in Spring Creek and Pittsfield townships. They opened the first Grade “A” dairy farm in the area in 1958 on their Nebo farm. Through the years she loved to cook and their door was always open to each and every one. Dora had a passion for letter writing, sending cards, and text messaging with family and friends countrywide. After her husband’s death, she worked at her daughter’s tanning salon for 11 years before deciding to retire at age 83 and help spoil her four great-grandchildren, which she loved doing.   

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Lou (husband Elbie) Buchanan; granddaughter, Cindy (husband Brent) Freesmeyer and their two girls, Kaitlyn and Kelsey; granddaughter, Carrie (husband Jeremy) Freesmeyer and their two boys, Jaden and Clay; all of Pittsfield. Dora was preceded in death by three brothers, Art, Ira (Bill), and Roy Atherton and by four sisters, Perle Moore, Ethel Pitchford, Ida Fry and Iva Wildt.  She was the last of the 8 Atherton children to pass away. 

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, March 13, 2026, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield, IL with visitation held prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at Pittsfield West Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to be made to Pittsfield West Cemetery. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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