Ethel P. Augenstein

Ethel Pearl (Boggs) Augenstein, 97, of Vandalia, IL passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at her home. Celebration of Life service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Vandalia, IL at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2012. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Friday, October 5, 2012, and 1 hour before service Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Vandalia, IL. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia, IL. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net. Memorials First Baptist Church Building Fund and/or Fayette County Health Department Hospice, both in Vandalia.

Ethel was born January 12, 1915, in Seminary Township, Vandalia, IL, the daughter of Edward Michael Boggs and Rilla Oletha (Jeffs) Boggs. She married Jacob (Jake) Martin Augenstein on October 3, 1936 in Greenville, IL, Jake passed away December 12, 1996. Ethel was a member of First Baptist Church, Vandalia, IL where she served in the nursery for many years and was head of the kitchen. Her church family was the joy of her life! She loved going on trips with the Senior’s OASIS group. She especially enjoyed Branson. She worked at the Shoe Factory. During World War II and in a defense factory in St. Louis were she was a riveter. Ethel also worked at Murrays Cleaners, was hostess at Robbins, Jays, and Abe Lincoln Restaurants. She was head cook at VCHS for twenty-five plus years. She made many beautiful, intricate, wedding cakes and helped many Vandalia brides plan their wedding. She was sought out as a caterer for factory picnics and holiday celebrations, parties and anniversaries. She was happiest when sharing her wit, stories and love with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Ethel was a Girl Scout leader and a member of Soroptimist International where she was honored by being named Soroptomist of the Year. She was a member of Lucky Thirteen and loved to play Bunco and Pinochle.

She is survived by daughter Ginger and husband Gene, Vandalia. Grandchildren: Rick and Sherri Wells, Vandalia; Traci (Wells) Small and husband Daniel, Hanahan, South Carolina. Great Grandchildren; Ashley (Wells) McCormick and husband Michael, East Alton, Brandon Wells, Vandalia, Stephanie (Cross) DuPlayee and husband Christopher, Vandalia, IL, Andrew, Brooklynn, and Carson Small, Hanahan, South Carolina. Great-great grandchildren Bennett McCormick, Christian, Faith, and Justice DuPlayee; sisters-in-law Carolee Boggs, Vandalia, and Frances Boggs, Ecorse, Michigan; brother-in-law Jesse Augenstein, Sunny Hills, Florida, many nieces and nephews, friends and special neighbor, Amanda Crow.

She was preceeded in death by her parents and brothers Ray Boggs and wife Hazel, Louis (Strawberry) Boggs and wife Dorothy, Roy (Buck) Boggs, Hugh Boggs and wife Julie, Carl (Boggs) and wife Pauline, Gene Boggs and sister Wilma Boggs.