Mary Lucille (Milligan) Cotter

Mary Lucille Cotter, 92, of Galatia, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018, at the Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, Ill. She was born on February 10, 1926 near Galatia, the daughter of the late Charles and Stella Irene (Sprague) Milligan. Lucille was a 1944 graduate of from Galatia High School.  As a youth, she attended New Hope Church where she was saved and baptized.    Lucille married Wright Johnson Cotter on June 24 of 1947. Wright preceded her in death on the 12th of November in 2014.  During the war, Lucille was proud of her contribution to the war effort where she worked in Michigan as a Rosie the Riveter building airplanes and selling war bonds.  Throughout their lives, Wright and Lucille thought it was important to buy products made in the United States whenever possible.   Mrs. Cotter was member of the Rebekah Lodge in Galatia.  Lucille is survived by four children, Thomas Eugene (Debbie) Cotter of Galatia, Dorothy Eileen (Randell) Smith of Annapolis, Susan Elaine (David) Patton of Bloomington, Timothy Wright (Renee`) Cotter of Effingham; nine grandchildren, Jonathan Cotter of Galatia, Andrea (Justin) Lannom of Marion, Christopher (Connie) Smith of Robinson, Randa (Micah) Wilder of Noblesville, Ind., Steven (Jennifer)Smith of Oblong, Samuel (Kara) Patton of Millersville, Md. , Audra (Ryan) Utterback of Clinton, Emily (Daniel)  Drake of Effingham, and Josh Cotter also of Effingham.; fourteen great grandchildren; and one brother, Charles Vernon Milligan; several beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Elva Droit ; two brothers, Emery and Emerson Milligan.   Family was the center of Lucille’s life.  She loved to garden, cook and work along with her husband on the farm.  She had a place for everything and everything in its place.  She repurposed things before it became the style.  Family and friend gatherings were centered around the table.  In her later years she was able to enjoy family that visited her and fellow residents.  Her care givers enjoyed her smiles and antics.   Visitation for Lucille will be held on Tuesday, April 3rd from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado. Funeral service will be the following day at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 4th at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Jeff Rush will officiate with burial at the Durham Cemetery near Galatia. Donations in Lucille’s memory may be made to the Ridgway American Legion or to the Ebenezer Cemetery.