H. Lucile Wales, 100, Polo, died Monday, April 19, 2010, at Pinecrest Manor, Mt. Morris.
She was born Sept. 14, 1909, in Brookville, the daughter of Albert and Ruth (Cashman) Wade.
She married Paul Langdon in June of 1930. He preceded her in death in March of 1934.
She married Frank Wales on June 15, 1935. He preceded her in death on Dec. 8, 1971.
She graduated from Polo High School in 1927, attended Mt. Morris College from 1927-28 and taught at the Judson Country School from 1928-31.
She returned to teaching in 1952 as a substitute teacher, then fulltime teaching in 1954, retiring in 1972.
During this time she attended Rockford College, graduating in 1959.
Lucile was a very caring and giving person. She was a member of the Polo Church of the Brethren where she taught Sunday School classes at times.
Her teaching experience would take her to Taegu, Korea, where she taught teachers, who were teaching the English language to their students, how to speak it.
Some of Wales' mission activities included travelling to Southeastern Kentucky to the Mud Lick Church of the Brethren and surrounding areas to help where needed.
Her daughters Joyce and Helen accompanied her on some of these trips. She did this for 32 years.
She provided a home for a year for a church sponsored Vietnamese mother and six of her children.
She became involved in Disaster Child Care, serving from coast to coast where needed.
She was instrumental in starting the resale store known as Second Hand Rose in Polo. It is fully operated by volunteers.
Many people have become involved in these activities, following her lead.
She felt the need to provide a home for International Exchange students during the holidays.
She and her daughter Helen were invited to Japan to visit one of these students.
Genealogy was also a passion for her and Helen and they traveled to many countries to do research.
For 19 years she and daughter Evelyn operated the Stone House gift shop and lunch room in rural Polo.
Survivors include five daughters, Betty Capling, Pittsville, Wis., Evelyn (Wilbur) Bowman, Helen Wales, and Joyce (Richard) Person, all of Polo, and Patricia (Don) Deardorff, Canby, Calif.; one daughter-in-law, Adrienne Hiatt, Polo; 25 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Margaret Brown and her husband David; son-in-law Robert Capling; foster children, John and Sherry Hiatt; a grandson, Greg Bowman and a great-grandson, Tim Bowman.
Funeral services were held April 22 at the Polo Church of the Brethren, with Richard Bright, chaplain at Pinecrest, and Anthony DiMarco, pastor of the Polo Church of the Brethren co-officiating.
Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery, Polo.
Arrangements were completed by Polo Family Funeral Home.
Memorials have been established to Pinecrest Manor and Mud Lick Church of the Brethren.