Relma L. Puntoni

WASHINGTON - Relma L Puntoni, 92, of Washington, IL, formerly of East Peoria, IL, passed away at 7:30 am Wednesday July 31, 2013 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Roanoke, IL. She had been a resident there for one year. Relma was born on July 14, 1921 in Hanna City, IL, a daughter of George and Bertha (Johnson) Largent. She married Orlando (Tony) Puntoni on February 28, 1943 in Kahoka, MO. He passed away on June 11, 1957. Survivors include 6 daughters, Tina Callahan, California, Rose Guede, Morton, IL, Grace Killilea, Maine, Toni (Ron) Hagerman, Colorado, Janet Puntoni, Eureka, IL, and Ruth (Elmer)Stanley, Missouri; 2 sons, Patrick (Tina) Puntoni, Heyworth, IL and Joseph (Patricia) Puntoni, East Peoria, IL; 1 sister, Georgia Henson, East Peoria, IL; 26 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Angela Koepnik and Ila Minson, her parents, 1 brother, Edwin Largent, and 3 sisters, Sylvia Janssen, Erma McVicker, and Ruby Janssen. Relma and Tony lived on a farm in East Peoria while they were starting their family. When Tony died in 1957 she continued to run the farm until moving to rural Morton in the late 50’s. Once all of her children were in school she went to work at Fields Lodge in Morton. She later worked at Peoria Porcelain factory until the plant closed. Relma then went to work at Morton Metalcraft where she worked until she retired in 1986. She moved from Morton to Sunnyland (East Peoria) in 1974. In December of 2000 Relma moved to an apartment at Leisure Acres in Sunnyland. In November of 2008 she moved to assisted living at Washington Village Estates. Relma’s life was not an easy one and was filled with much adversity and challenge. From her early years growing up on a farm during the Great Depression through raising her 10 children on her own after her husband died (the oldest child was 12 and the youngest was 5 weeks when he died), she faced many of life’s obstacles. She had health problems that nearly claimed her life on several occasions, the financial strain of being a single mother raising ten children, plus the challenges of being a parent trying to mentor her children. Throughout her journey in life Relma never lost her focus, her faith, or her resolve to raise her family in the best way she knew how, with whatever she had to work with, and using whatever help she could muster from friends and family. Through all of this she never wavered on her responsibility or complained about the hand she was dealt. Relma approached life with a tremendous amount of courage and had a contagious optimistic spirit that inspired all the people she touched in life. She will be remembered and missed by all the people who knew her. Funeral Services will be at 10 am Friday, August 9, 2013 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. Deacon Joe Lowry will officiate. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Thursday, August 8, 2013 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.

Relma L. Puntoni

July 14, 1921 - July 31, 2013