Evelyn Blanche Sabella

Evelyn Blanche Sabella, 88, of Murphysboro, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Evelyn was born on September 20, 1928, in Gorham, Illinois, to John W. and Anna B. (Worthen) Gale. She married Dr. Peter A. Sabella on December 27, 1950, in Murphysboro, and he preceded her in death on March 11, 1997. Evelyn leaves behind to cherish her memories; her son Dr. Nicholas J. Sabella of Murphysboro, and her daughter Rita A. Reeves of Marion; four grandsons Tony Reeves and his wife Michelle Reeves of Mt. Vernon, Michael Reeves, Logan Reeves, and Braden Reeves, all of Marion; two great grandchildren Everly Reeves and Blaze Reeves of Mt. Vernon; one sister Debbie Winter of Pinckneyville; two sisters in law Jeanie Gale of Ava and Judy Litteken of Waterloo; one brother in law Gil Litteken of Waterloo; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Robert Dean Gale and one sister Velma Lois Gale, who both died in infancy, one Bill Gale, three sisters Betty Litteken, Hazel "Bea" Mizer, and Joyce House, one sister in law Pauline Bencini and her husband William Bencini, and four brother in laws James Rader, Roger Mizer, Lyle Winter, and Don House, Sr. Evelyn graduated from Gorham High School, received her Teacher's Certificate, and began her teaching career in Raddle, Illinois. She also taught at Vergennes Grade School and Special Education at Trico School Districts. Other careers included serving as houseparents with her husband Pete at the Jewish Children's Home in St. Louis, case worker for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and a real estate agent. Mrs. Sabella was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Murphysboro, a member of the St. Andrew Altar Society, St. Andrew School Board, and a member of the Murphysboro Elks Lodge. She enjoyed Cubs baseball, golfing, square dancing, playing cards, cooking, and flower gardening. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 22, 2017, at St. Andrew Catholic Church with Father James Buerster officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Andrew School, St. Andrew Church, St. Andrew Cemetery, Mt. Joy Cemetery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or to the American Diabetes Association. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Evelyn Blanche Sabella

September 20, 1928 - August 20, 2017