Emma Jane Gunther, age 82, of rural Knoxville, Illinois died at 5:50 PM on Friday, April 14, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.
She was the daughter of Glen and Melva (Lewis) Saline, born on October 7, 1940, in Galesburg, Illinois. She attended and graduated from Knoxville High School, in Knoxville. She married James Gunther on October 2, 1960, at Maxey Chapel in rural Knoxville.
Surviving is her husband, James Gunther of rural Knoxville; her children: Lynn (Charles) Riggs of Galesburg, Diane (Paul) Waymoth of Knoxville, Timothy (Angie) Gunther of Abingdon, Illinois, and David (Krista) Gunther of Knoxville; her grandchildren: Eric Rose of Knoxville, Jennifer Rose of Knoxville, Sean Riggs of Galesburg, Hayden Gunther of Abingdon, Payton Gunther of Abingdon, Emma Gunther of Abingdon, Derek Gunther of Knoxville, Lyla Gunther of Knoxville; Great-grandchildren: Rebekah, Kyliegh, Camryn, Justus, Patience, and Colten; a brother, Gary (Joslin) Saline of Dahinda, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Dean, Don, and Eugene Saline, and a sister Joann Mahony.
She was a farmwife and homemaker, helping her husband on the farm and raising her children. Later, she worked for the former P.E.O. in Knoxville, and then the Williamsfield Retirement Center, in Williamsfield, Illinois, totaling twenty years. She was an active member of the Maxey Chapel in rural Knoxville. She enjoyed gardening and helping with farming, cattle, and sheep. She also enjoyed feeding the birds.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, with Rev. Russ Collister officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Maxey Chapel or Hospice Compassus. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory in Knoxville is in charge of services. Online condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
