Imogene Mae Morthland (née Pierson)

IN MEMORY OF: Imogene Mae Morthland (née Pierson) Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Imogene Mae Morthland (née Pierson), 85, passed away in the early morning hours of June 21, 2026, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Imogene was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on June 9, 1941, to Bert and Helen Pierson (née Johnson) and was the fourth of eleven siblings. Imogene was a 1959 graduate of Murphysboro High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University. She spent 38 years as a teacher in the Gorham and Murphysboro school districts, where she touched the lives of countless children. Imogene took special pride in teaching children to read, and to many of her students, she was both a steady encourager and a blessing during their school years. In a wonderful reversal of blessing, Imogene was loved and supported in the final years of her life by one of her former first graders and dear family friend, Jessica VanPelt. The care and devotion Jessica has shown to Imogene and her immediate family over the past six years have been inexpressibly valuable and life-giving. Imogene married Ralph “Red” Morthland in 1962, and together they raised a family she cherished deeply. She was a devoted mother to her daughter, Lynda (Mark) Pfautsch, and their daughter, Claire, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; to her son, Samuel Morthland, and his son, Blake, of Murphysboro, Illinois; and to her son, Ryan (Laura) Morthland, and their children, Lily and Jonathan, of Murphysboro, Illinois. Imogene was blessed to become a grandmother later in life, and her four grandchildren were the absolute light of her life. Although it is impossible to capture all the treasured moments Imogene shared with her extended family and friends, it can be said that she lived a life marked by compassion, strength, and faith. Imogene gave to those around her with joy, reached out to celebrate milestones, and offered a love that was steady and deeply felt. She was a woman rooted in scripture who lived by the promises of God’s Word. Her family takes peace in knowing she has entered that joy—reunited with loved ones who went before her and held in the eternal embrace of her Savior. Imogene was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, George Pierson, Thomas Pierson, James Pierson, Rose Pierson, and Richard Pierson; five siblings-in-law, Diana Pierson, Walter Hehner, Angelo and Madeline Lamatina, and Butch Matz; and her husband, Ralph “Red” Morthland. She is survived by her three children and four grandchildren, along with her loving brothers and sister and their families: William (Thelma) Pierson, David (Bonnie) Pierson, Sue Matz (née Pierson), Michael (Jayne) Pierson, and John (Karen) Pierson. She is also survived by her loving brothers- and sisters-in-law and their families: Lynn Pierson, Babe Hehner, Greta (Charles) Homuth, and Charles (Patricia) Morthland. Services for Imogene will be held on Monday, June 29th, at Elm Street Baptist Church in Murphysboro, Illinois. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church, with a funeral service officiated by Pastor Charles Allen beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Fairview Christian Cemetery, with a funeral meal hosted by Elm Street Baptist Church immediately following the graveside service. Memorial donations in honor of Imogene may be made to the Elm Street Baptist Church Food Pantry or the Murphysboro Crimson Express. For those who may not be familiar with it, the Crimson Express is an award-winning high school marching, concert, and jazz band that Imogene was immensely proud to support. Two of her grandchildren are currently members of the Crimson Express, with another poised to follow in their footsteps. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Imogene Mae Morthland (née Pierson)

June 9, 1941 - June 21, 2026