Sophie Therese (Godsil) Ryner, 92, of Galesburg, died peacefully, Friday, March 18, 2022, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
Sophie was born September 16, 1929, in Galesburg, IL, the daughter of Maurice T. and Sophie M (Heindl) Godsil. Sophie graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1947. She then worked at Intrastate Phone Company as an operator supervisor where she met Donald Fayette Ryner. They were married on June 6, 1959, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Galesburg. Their marriage brought four children. He preceded her in death on June 30, 1988.
Sophie is survived by two sons, Donald (Shelley) Ryner of Knoxville and David (Vanessa) Ryner of Jefferson City, MO; two daughters, Debra (Mark) Oakman of Galesburg and Denise Warner of Knoxville, IL; one brother, Michael Godsil of Galesburg; and her two sisters, Cecilia Polillo of Galesburg and Barbara O’Connor of Knoxville. Sophie is also survived by her ten beloved grandchildren, Tim (Jeanna) Ryner, Kristi (Nate) Kern, Matt (Ashley) Ryner, Mike (Danielle) Ryner, Molly (Austin) Oakman, Josh (Heather) Warner, Jake (Courtney) Warner, Jordan Warner, Adam Ryner, and Amber Ryner; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Along with her husband and parents, Sophie was preceded in death by one brother, Maurice Godsil, and one grandson, Bryan Joseph Ryner.
Family and faith were the centers of Sophie’s life. She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, where she attended mass regularly. She was also a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Sophie was fond of sitting on her front porch swing anytime the weather was nice and enjoyed many hours reading. She loved putting pen to paper and would drop a card or note in the mail for no other reason than to let the recipients know that she was thinking of them. She greatly enjoyed being around water and swimming; her love of the water, including the Mississippi River, the “farm pond” and her own backyard swimming pool brought her hours of joy, family fun, and relaxation.
She delighted in taking her family on many different adventures throughout the years; she instilled into all her kids and grandkids, that an adventure was always waiting and within reach, even if it only involved a simple car ride. But anyone that lived within earshot of 960 East Brooks Street could tell when Sophie wanted her kids home. Her unique yodel, or as others described as her “Tarzan yell” could be heard echoing through the neighborhood. To this day, even her grandkids recognize that yodel! Sophie’s best friends were her sisters, the Godsil Girls: Cel, Barb, and “Sissy” as they all called Sophie. Even into their 70’s and 80s, the girls could be found trooping around town together to go see a movie, going to church, or just seeing how cheap they could eat out for lunch.
Sophie will be lovingly remembered as a kind, thoughtful, and caring soul. Her absence from our family will be felt by everyone for years to come.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg. Father Matthew Hoelscher will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made in Sophie’s memory to Corpus Christi Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.watsonthomas.com
