Erma Lucille Heerdt Watkins Fitzjarrald, 101, of Taylorville, formerly of Arthur, died at 10:16 a.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the Arthur United Methodist Church with Rev. Bruce Weiman and Pastor Becky Lemke officiating. Burial will follow in the Arthur Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine Street, Arthur is assisting the family with arrangements.

Erma was born July 5, 1916 in rural Arthur, the daughter of Charles and Minnie Heimburger Heerdt. She married James Reese Watkins in 1938; he preceded her in death in 1958. She later married Everett Fitzjarrald in 1984; he preceded her in death in 2002.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Suzanne (George) Freese of Taylorville; Carol (John) Sims of Naperville;

5 grandchildren, Jeff and Sheila Freese of Channahon, IL; Jennifer and Scott Reeves of Victoria, Minnesota; Christopher and Laurel Sims of Plainfield; Carrie and Matt Meersman of Cummings, Georgia; Clayton and Sara Sims of Humble, Texas; 13 great grandchildren, Linsay and Jordan Freese; Allison and Emily Reeves; Jacob, Tyler, Andrew, Matthew, Michael, and Elizabeth Ann Meersman; Mattie, Evie, and Emma Sims; stepdaughter, Diane Mackey of Arthur; stepson, Joel and Sherry Fitzjarrald; 3 step grandchildren, Pam and Michael Mackey, Brenda Izquierdo; 3 step great grandchildren, Alex, Danny, and Marko Izquierdo.

Erma was a graduate of Arthur High School Class of 1934. She also graduated from the Champaign Beauty School and worked as a beautician for a time but was a homemaker for most of her life. She was a member of the Arthur United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was an avid fan of the Illini Football and Basketball Teams.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Taylorville or the Arthur United Methodist Church.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com