Nellie Irene Dawson, 91, of Tuscola, IL, passed away at 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Provena Covenant Medical Center, Urbana, IL

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL with Rev. Ralph Deal officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Fairfield Cemetery, Newman, IL

Nellie was born on March 12, 1920 in Sadorus, IL, the daughter of Albert and Belle Noe Smith. She married Caleb Nowning. She later married Harvey E. Dawson on December 6, 1969 in Tuscola, IL. He was the love of her life and preceded her in death on April 24, 2005.

Survivors include her step-sons: John Dawson of Champaign, IL and Phillip Dawson of Boise, ID, 3 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Clyde & Clarence and sisters: Blanche & Leone.

She attended Broadlands schools and graduated from Longview High School in 1938. She worked for Roy Hurst Grocery Store in Broadlands for several years and was a Sunday School teacher at the United Brethren Church. She worked at the Grab-It-Here Store in Tuscola for more than 10 years. She was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Tuscola, and was a secretary of the Protheon class. She later joined the Tuscola United Church of Christ. She was also a secretary of the Tuscola Business and Professional Women's Club. She enjoyed church, crocheting and loved to read. Nellie lived at the Jarman Center for the past 6 years.

Memorials are suggested to: Tuscola United Church of Christ

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