Obituary of Isla Marie Luxton

Isla Marie Wall Luxton, age 99, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 2, 2015, after a brief illness, at the home of her daughter in Cropwell, Alabama, with family members by her side. Born to John and Minnie Wall on December 15, 1915, in Mayfield Township, Illinois, Isla grew up on her parents’ farm and attended one-room elementary schools in the Mayfield area. She graduated from Sycamore Community High School in 1933, during the great depression. Her hopes of attending college to attain a teaching certificate were put aside while she went to work to help her dad pay bills to sustain the family farm. Her working career began at Turner Brass, progressed to DeKalb Seed Corn where she was introduced to some of the first computers, and then she took a reprieve from the business world to really start working, with the busy duties of a farmer’s wife and raising five children. Once the youngest child started school, Isla returned to work, and was employed by Ideal Industries in Sycamore until she retired in 1980. To keep her mind busy though, Isla worked part-time for Ron Klein’s Law Office, assisting with the accounting duties. Isla was very proud to be the oldest living member of the Sycamore United Methodist Church for several years. Her membership spanned over eighty years. And through her steadfast faith and love of our Lord, Jesus Christ, she set the example for family and friends of a giving, strong and selfless servant. In addition to the joys she received in raising her active family, Isla had varied interests, including baking, playing cards, playing the piano, and playing scrabble. She also enjoyed reading, traveling and attending Elderhostels throughout the United States. She shared her artistic abilities with her beautiful needlepoint, her poetry and writings. But above all, Isla enjoyed telephone conversations with family and friends, and receiving, reading and re-reading her many cards and notes. Isla was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her children, William C. (Bill) Luxton; her one brother, John Burton Wall; and a host of friends and relatives. She is survived by her children, Laurel (Jack) Ratcliffe, Alice (Don) Wesley, Carol Luxton, Bill (Terry Lindsoe) Luxton, and Paul (April) Luxton; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services will be held Tuesday, April 7 at 11 am, at Butala Funeral Home in Sycamore, IL. Visitation will be from 9 am until time of service. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery near Creston immediately following the service. Isla’s family would like to thank the staff of Lakeside Hospice for their compassionate care and kindness during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Good Samaritan Fund of the Sycamore United Methodist Church, Lakeside Hospice, Inc. of Pell City, Alabama, or the charity of your choice.