Gwen McNamara Floreth

Gwen McNamara Floreth, 98, passed away Sunday morning, April 18, 2021 at Unity Point Proctor Hospital in Peoria, Illinois. Prior to Gwen’s death, she resided at Lutheran Hillside Village in East Peoria, Illinois.

Gwen was born May 12, 1922 in Lowder, Illinois to Goldie Elizabeth Ray and Daniel Webster Costley. She graduated from Litchfield High School in the Class of 1940. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Gwen married Phillip Roberts McNamara in June 7, 1944 in Austin, Texas.

Gwen was very active in our community. She taught in the local school district.  She served as secretary to two mayors, Dean Meier and Gene Barenholtz. Gwen was a member of the Litchfield Women’s Club, Litchfield Country Club and served on the Litchfield Carnegie Library board. She was instrumental in organizing the St. Francis Candy Striper Program, and served as the first president of the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary.

Gwen enjoyed playing bridge, reading, traveling, gardening, needlework, and spending time with her family.

Her husband, Dr. Phillip McNamara, who practiced optometry in Litchfield from over 37 years, preceded her in death in 1990. She later married Dr. Nelson Floreth who preceded her in 2004.

Gwen is survived by her four daughters, Mrs. G. Bradley (Anne) Hantla of Litchfield: Mrs. L. Lowell (Meg) Ray of Peoria: Mrs. Nick (Nancy) Ciaccio of Champaign: Mrs. Rick (Lisa) Wager of Belleville, She has eleven grandchildren: Marcy Sigler, Allison Boatright. Kit Hantla, Elizabeth Niehaus, Andrew and Natalie Ciaccio, Brian and Philip Ray, Greg and Sara Wagner. Gwen has 16 great-grandchildren

Preceding her in death was a daughter, Phyllis Wickert Rogers and a grandson Matthew Philip Wickert.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Litchfield Family Funeral Service, Litchfield, Illinois is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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