Illona Emilie Cantrell passed away Thursday, March 25th at home. She was surrounded by her loving family.
She had been a cancer survivor for four years when its return was discovered in mid-February. She faced her foe with grace, dignity, a fighting spirit and the support of her family.
Emilie was born August 8, 1935 in Belpre, Ohio to Ralph and Xenna (Westfall) Poling. She graduated from West Phoenix High in Phoenix, AZ. She met the love of her life Johnnie (John) Cantrell in Phoenix and they married on May 29, 1953. After living several places in the western USA, they moved to Branson, MO in 1965.
Not only was Emilie a wife and mother, she enjoyed gardening in Grandma’s garden, antiquing, quilting and spending time with family and friends.
She worked several years at Harding Glass and was a faithful member of Victor Baptist Church.
Emilie was preceded in death by her parents; sister Janice Blain, twin great-granddaughters Elliana and Liliana Lay and great-grandson Tavis Norby.
She is survived by her husband, Johnnie Cantrell of Branson; children, Nan Clark (Tom) of Omaha, AR, Bonnie Wright (Dean) of Cedar Creek, Christie Hall (Loran Hall, Jr.) of Taneyville and Wade Cantrell (Michael) of Walnut Shade; brother Marshall Poling (Dee) of Mesa, AZ along with eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Services to remember Emilie will be Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson with visitation beginning at 9:00 A.M. and the funeral service to begin at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Kenny Robinette officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Duncan, Missouri.
In honor of Emilie, memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society, on-line at cancer.org.
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