Gertrude "Trudy" Elizabeth Pilcher
Gertrude Elizabeth "Trudy" Pilcher , 97, of Canton passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2017. She was born January 13, 1920, in Monmouth, IL to Arthur and Sadie (Burford) Swanson. Trudy married Virgil D. Pilcher in Canton, IL, on June 29, 1946. She was preceded in death by her husband on August 7, 1994, her parents, a sister, Marguerite Allaman, and a brother, Elmer (Bud) Swanson. Surviving are her daughters, Marsha (Steve) Moore and Muriel (Mike) Freeman of Canton. Four grandchildren: Brent (Sarah) Freeman and Brooke (Robert) Denniston of Canton. Blair (Stephanie) Freeman of Joliet, IL and Quinn (Danielle) Moore of Aurora, IL. Eight great-grandchildren, "her pride and joy": Jordan Fuller and Elisabeth Freeman, Violet, Eli, and Ivy Freeman, Delaney and Fletcher Denniston, and Patrick Moore along with several nieces and nephews. During WWII Trudy was a "Rosie the Riveter" in Long Beach, California for McDonnell Douglas. She "bucked" rivets in the fuselages of B-29 bombers and also delivered armor plates to be installed behind the pilot's seats in the aircraft for extra protection. She returned to Canton and worked for International Harvester until she married. Trudy was a long-time...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
mber of the First Baptist Church of Canton, and more recently a member of the First Christian Church of Canton. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader and always kept up with the latest news. Trudy enjoyed visiting with her friends and playing BINGO. She was "young at heart" and would try anything from cell phones to Facebook. Mom / Grandma / GeeGee is deeply loved and will be greatly missed! In respect to her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, with private graveside burial be held at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Canton. Memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com
