Ethel Mae Townsend

Ethel May Kennel Townsend, 101, went home peacefully to her Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning November 14, 2018 with her family by her side.  Ethel was born January 29, 1917 in Ogilvie, MN and at an early age came to Zion, IL.  She attended grade and high school in Zion Parochial Schools and received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Child Care from College of Lake County. She lived most of her life in Zion and Winthrop Harbor.  On January 29 1938 in Dubuque, IA Ethel married Earl Townsend.  Ethel was primarily a homemaker raising four children.  During WWII she worked at the Zion Bakery while Earl was in Germany.  After her children were grown, she worked 25 years as a Head Start teacher.  Over the years she spent time at Camp Zion as a cabin leader, camp cook and on maintenance crews.  Ethel was an active member of the Christian Catholic Church, now Christ Community Church, and served as a Sunday School Teacher, choir member, and as a member of the Passion Play.  She enjoyed many trips with the Zion Park District.  She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, at gatherings with family and friends, and family reunions.

Survivors include her 4 children, Douglas Townsend, Dr. Earl Steven (Claudette) Townsend, Judy Townsend Gelsinger (Paul Russell), Barbara Townsend Parkinson; 8 grandchildren, Christina (Peter) Falotico, Roxanne (Michael) Corcoran, Dr. Suzanne Townsend Battaglia, Greg (Debbie) Townsend, Jeffrey (Melissa) Gelsinger, Jason (Michele) Gelsinger, Timothy Parkinson, Kyla (Mark) Mazurkewiz;  15 great-grandchildren, Ryan Townsend, Jenna Dowdal, Justin (Rachel) Townsend, Jillian (Aaron) Wolf, Hannah Rummel, Dr. Taylor Battaglia, Nicholas Battaglia, Jack Battaglia, James Gelsinger, Katelynn Gelsinger, Victorya Lenz, Vanessa Modobs, Hannah Gelsinger, Megan Comstock, Marie Comstock; 7 great-great-grandchildren:  Madeline Dowdal, James Gelsinger Jr., Nicholas Dowdal, Lucy Gelsinger, Emma Townsend, Addison Wolf, Mason Wolf, and many nieces and nephews.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Townsend; parents, Peter and Adelaide Kennel; siblings, Ethan Kennel, Oran (Lucy) Kennel, Cecelia (Lawrence) Johnson, Boon (Irene) Kennel, Menno (Shirlee) Kennel, Olga (Burt) Setterlund and daughter-in-law, Stephanie Townsend.  She will be greatly missed.  Ethel’s family wishes to thank the staff at Rolling Hills Manor for her loving care.

Visitation will be Sunday December 9, 2018 at 3:00pm, service at 4:00pm, at Christ Community Church.  Interment will be private at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park.  Memorial donations to Camp Zion would be greatly appreciated.