CLEO LAWANDA PERSCHBACHER

Johnston City–Cleo LaWanda Perschbacher 84, of Johnston City passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 1:18 P.M. at the Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Services will be held at Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City on Wednesday January 6, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Larry Stevens officiating. Burial will be in the Boner Cemetery in West Frankfort. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. till 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Johnston City. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

She was born on August 2, 1925, in West Frankfort, the daughter of Herstel and Mary Ellen (Palmer) Lawrence. She married Paul "Doc" Perschbacher on January 11, 1947 in Johnston City. He survives.

She graduated West Frankfort High School in 1943. She worked as a Rosie the Riveter during WWII, which is a cultural icon of the American women who worked in war factories, at an airplane factory in St. Louis. She owned a beauty salon for many years. She was a life long member of the First Baptist Church in Johnston City and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

She is survived by one son Eric Perschbacher of West Frankfort; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Donald Lawrence; and one sister, Lenora Cook.