Emma Lucille Svela, 88 of Steward, IL, passed away Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 at the Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL, surrounded by her beloved family. Lucille was born July 30, 1924 in Rochelle, the daughter of William and Mayme (Cardott) Parsley. She graduated from Steward High School in 1941, and went on to attend Northern Illinois Teachers College (NIU). Lucille married Dale Svela June 2, 1945 in Rochelle, IL.

She taught at Miller School, Thorpe School, Steward School, and St Paul Lutheran School. Lucille retired from Rochelle News Leader as the Society Editor. She taught Sunday School and Bible school for several years at St. Paul, and was secretary for the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry in Rochelle.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Edgar Parsley, and 2 infant siblings.

She is survived by her husband Dale of Steward, IL; 2 sons: Dennis (Rosemary) Svela of Lilburn, GA and Dean (Deann) Svela of Steward, IL; daughter: Janice Svela of Naperville, IL; 2 brothers: Bernard (Elizabeth) Parsley of Malta, IL and Harold (Carol) Parsley of Concord, CA; sister: Helen (Clarence) Lang of Rochelle; grandchildren: Jennifer (Jason) Studdards, Katie (Thomas) Crews, Jerome (Dana) Tomas, Phillip Tomas, Janeen ( David) Bonner, Matthew (Andrea) Svela, Chelsey (Austin) Stolte and Micah Svela; great grandchildren: McKenzie Studdards, George Crews, Nina, Sam and Olivia Tomas, Damien Tomas, Savannah Bonner and Bentley Svela.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Thursday Oct. 11, 2012 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle with Pastor Gregory Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 4-7 PM at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle. Burial will be at Trinity Memorial Garden.