Katherine May

Katherine B. May, 89, of Brookston, died Wednesday, March 31, 2004, in St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Lafayette.

She was born in Wing, Ill., on May 10, 1914, to Henry and Elias Schlatter Baer. She married Elmer Wiley May on April 20, 1935, in Rensselaer. He died March 15, 1967.

She moved to Brookston in 1926. She attended Brookston High School.

She catered weddings and other events for 30 years. She also worked for the YWCA as director of the 604 House, which was the girls' house and worked for Duncan Hall as director for five years.

She was a member of the Brookston Federated Church and was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star Crystal Chapter No. 165.

She enjoyed cross-stitch, knitting and crocheting. She was a member of the Lafayette Chapter World Organization of Porcelain Arts and was a 4-H leader for many years.

Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Jean (Don) Purkheiser of Monticello; a brother, Roy (Evelyn) Baer of Gentry, Ark.; a sister Annabelle Flenner of Tucson; three local grandchildren, Brian, Beth and David Purkheiser; along with 11 other grandchildren 19 great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Sons, Frances [sic], Robert and Herbert May; one sister and one brother are deceased.

Funeral services were Saturday, April 3, 2004, at the Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home, Brookston with the Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds officiating.

Burial was at Brookston IOOF Cemetery.