Ellen June McLaughlin, 87, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 7:20 P.M. Thursday August 31, 2023, at Beecher Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation in Beecher, IL. She was born June 18, 1936, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Otto Gasser and Ellen (O’Connor) Gasser Smith. She married Edward James McLaughlin on January 2, 1954, at St. Lawerence Church in Chicago. He preceded her in death.
She is survived by four daughters, Linda (Danny) West of Hoopeston, IL, Debra (Dennis) Morgan of Hoopeston, IL, Kathleen (Richard) Purkhiser of Crown Point, IN, and Karen (Wayne) Hansen of Grant Park, IL; two sons, Edward (Catherine) McLaughlin of Lowell, IN, and Michael (Theresa) McLaughlin of Grant Park, IL; one brother-in-law, Eugene (Ana) McLaughlin of Chicago, IL; 16 grandchildren, Shane (Stacy) West, Paul (Lisa) McLaughlin, Joseph McLaughlin, Lynn (Ralph) Frampton, Robert (Jessica) Morgan, Jennifer Morgan, Ryan Purkhiser, Jamie Moore-Hawkins, Danny Moore, Mary (Dan) Eckhoff, Rachel (Dallas) Smith, Michael McLaughlin, David Edwards, Wayne Jr. (Mia) Hansen, Brett Hansen, and Jeremy Hansen; 25 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Sophia, Hunter, and Gavin West, Aaliyah McLaughlin, Taylor, Hailey, Kaytlin, Blake, and Gracie Frampton, Juvia Morgan, Jase, Teagen, and McKenna Hawkins, Chloe and Bella Moore, Jaxon, Annabelle, Jamison, and Stella Eckhoff, Greyson Smith, Trinity, Wayne III, and Nova Rose Hansen, and Demitra Purkhiser; and 4 nieces and nephews, Kathie Morales, Timothy Spellman, and Bridget and Patrick McLaughlin.
In addition to her husband, June was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Stephen Smith; 2 brothers, Ervin and Clarence “Red” Gasser; 2 sisters-in-law, Irene (Tim) Spellman and Rita (James) Browning; 2 granddaughters, Amber L. West and Megan Purkhiser; 2 nieces, Kimberly McLaughlin and Christine Spellman Lewis; and 2 nephews, Harold and Danny Morales.
June was a self-employed tax preparer. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hoopeston where she volunteered helping with funeral mass meals. She previously served as a Girl Scout leader where she was very involved and chaperoned a lot of trips, including one to Canada. June’s hobbies included shopping, sewing, and knitting beautiful Irish scarfs and hats for friends and family. She enjoyed Bunco, working Sudoku puzzles, and fishing in Hayward with her husband, Ed. She also enjoyed taking trips with her grandchildren and traveling to Ireland and Rome. June was always “there” for anyone that needed support, financial or spiritual.
Visitation will be held 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Thursday September 7, 2023, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral mass will follow the visitation and will begin at 1:30 P.M. Thursday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 423 S. Third St., Hoopeston, IL, with Father Bowan Schmitt officiating. The burial will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday September 8, 2023, at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 8178 Cline Ave, Crown Point, IN.
Memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics at https://support.specialolympics.org or St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 423 S. Third St. Hoopeston, IL 60942.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view June’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
