Virginia Bratton

Virginia Bratton, age 74 of Westfield, was called home to her Lord and Savior following a courageous five year battle with cancer on Monday, November 20, 2006 at her home. She was born on May 11, 1932 in New Boston, IL, daughter of the late Joseph and Agnes (Sellnau) Zimmerman. Virginia married Don Bratton on March 27, 1949 in Muscatine, IA. Along with her husband, Virginia farmed in the Township of Springfield for many years while raising five daughters. She enjoyed being active in church and church activities, gardening, baking, antiquing, camping with special friends, traveling out west and deer hunting. Virginia had a special gift for reaching out and helping others.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Don Bratton; five daughters, Donna (Steve) Nachtrab, Van Dyne, Gloria (Michael) Carow, Oshkosh, Shirley, (Mike) Coomer-Kujuwa, Phoenix, AZ, Patti, (Steve) Pulver, Briggsville and Barbara (Scott) Starkey, Lockport, IL; 17 grandchildren, six of whom are currently serving on active duty with the armed forces of the United States; 10 great grandchildren; three sisters, Aileen Andress, Aledo, IL, Betty Bull, Rock Island, IL and Lois Folck, Oshkosh; special friends and neighbors, Bud and Kathy Hockerman and their family; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by one sister, Francis Landers and one brother, David Zimmerman.
A funeral service for Virginia will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, Westfield with Pastor Joe Adkins officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Township of Springfield. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 24, 2006 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home, Westfield and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the hour of service.