Kathleen Biddle

Kathleen Biddle, 94, of Zion, IL, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at home. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Beryl Biddle; her daughter, Linda; her sister, Marion (Glen) McCulloch; and her brothers, John and Lawrence (Nelle) Pratt. She was born on February 7, 1915 to Alfred and Emily Pratt near Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada where her parents had homesteaded following their emigration from England in the early 1900's. The family moved to Zion, IL to follow the teachings of the Christian Catholic Church, which has been known as Christ Community Church in recent years. She attended the Zion Apostolic schools graduating in 1935 and remained a faithful and active member throughout her life. She served for many years as a bible school teacher to children and participated in church activities, including church archives and assisting with the Passion Play. She was known to many through her work at Zukley's Jewelry in Zion, Streich's Flower Shop and the Zion Cookie Factory. During WWII, she worked in the photography department at Great Lakes Naval Training Center and for Eastman Kodak in Jacksonville, FL. She and her sister Marion also owned and operated the Pratt Sister's Studios, taking portraits of local families. She was active with the Zion Fire Belles and raised funds for the grade school band's first uniforms. For many years Kathleen was a member of the Ladies Golf Association and a charter member of the Zion Historical Society. She was an accomplished painter of fine bone china. Survived by her daughter, Susan (Tom) Hartrick of Cape Coral, FL and Andover, NH; and David A. (Diane) Biddle of Greendale, WI. She is survived by her siblings, Vera (Marvin) Booth of Georgetown, SC and Irene (Ray) Zukley of Zion; sister-in-law, Nelle Pratt of Sugarland, TX; two granddaughters, Lara Vander Ploeg of Mokena, IL and Mary (David) Sherwin of Seattle, WA; grandson, Ryan Vander Ploeg; and many loved nieces ,and nephews; she is also survived by special grandchildren, Scott (Stephanie) Chandler of Bonita Springs, FL and Tiffany Chestnut of Providence, RI, and their children, Logan and Maddox Chandler, and Brittany, Jordan and Christian Chestnut, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, August 21, 2009, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, at 10.00 a.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Langley of Christ Community Church of Zion officiating. Interment will follow at Northshore Garden of Memories, North Chicago. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either Camp Zion or to ZEMA Missionary Program, both of which are ministries of Christ Community Church.