Oralene Richardson Lindsey (83) of Newton

Following her 2-year battle with a rare, metastasizing cancer, Oralene Richardson Lindsey met the Lord on Friday, January 7, 2022. Her faith carried her through this battle and she now rests peacefully with her Lord and Savior.

Born July 9, 1938 to Ora and Ruth (Whitlock) Richardson (Cisne, IL), Oralene was one of 5 children. She graduated from Cisne High School (1956), was a member of the 1950’s musical trio “The Harmonetts”, a life-long Methodist and member of Grace United Methodist Church (Newton, IL) where she held the honor of United Methodist Woman of the Year. Being an avid reader, Oralene served as librarian and secretary for the United Methodist Women. Oralene was known to all as a woman of great faith who loved to laugh, sing, knit, play Canasta, volunteer, watch football and Mr. Blue Eyes himself – Tony Bennett. She loved her family dearly and was a devoted wife and mother of 3. In 1958, Oralene married Ronald L. Lindsey at the Cisne Christian Church. Following their marriage, Oralene and Ron relocated from Cisne to Arlington, Virginia as they completed Ron’s service in the Army. Upon return from Virginia they spent much of their married lives raising their family in Carbondale and Herrin, Illinois, eventually returning to the place they truly called home: Westgrove Farm in Newton, Illinois.

Oralene leaves behind her husband of 65 years, Ronald L. Lindsey - Newton, IL; daughter Wendy (Lindsey) Francis (Jim) – Rochester, MN ; sons Mark Lindsey and Kent Lindsey - Newton; 4 grand-daughters: Ashley (Lindsey)Bigard (Kaleb), Newton; Amanda (Lindsey) Logan (Mitchell), Apison, GA; Megan Lindsey (Chris Hecox), Rochester, MN; and Samantha Francis, Rochester, MN; 5 great-grandchildren: Alex, Kyla, Kamden, Adeline and Henry; brothers James and Lowell Richardson of Tennessee; sister-in-law Suellyn (Lindsey) Garner of Charleston, IL; nieces, nephews, cousins, 2nd cousins, other extended family and close life-long friends.

Oralene is preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law, sister, 1 half-brother, 2 nephews, 3 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial services celebrating the of life of Oralene will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Grace United Methodist Church, Newton with Rev. Amy Jefferies officiating. The family will receive visitors from 9:30 a.m. until time of services Saturday, February 19th in the church. With respect to Covid-19, the wearing of face coverings and social distancing is requested by the family. Inurnment of ashes will take place at Honey Cemetery, Bogota, Illinois with a private ceremony. Crain Funeral Home of Newton is assisting the family with arrangements. To view the full obituary and offer online condolences, please do so by clicking here.

During this 2-year marathon, Oralene was blessed with wonderful healthcare and steadfast prayers and concern from clergy, family, and friends. Particularly we wish to express thanks to her colo-rectal and radiation/oncology team at The Mayo Clinic-Rochester, the dedicated physicians and oncology nursing staff at Crossroads Cancer Center-Effingham, Clergy and staff at Grace United Methodist Church, and the kind and skilled caregivers of HSHS Hospice. Each of you possess a special gift and your caring, nurturing ways have blessed our family.

In lieu of flowers, Oralene requested donations to one of the following: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center. http://giftfunds.stjude.org/Oralene_Richardson_LindseyMemorialFund HSHS Hospice: online at www.hshs.org/giving or by mail at: HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, 503 N. Maple St., Effingham, IL. 62401 Grace United Methodist Church: 203 S. Lafayette Street, Newton, IL. 62448 Honey Cemetery: c/o Kenneth Shew, 5865 N. 670th St., Newton, IL. 62448.

Above Oralene’s desk hung this saying: Let your Faith be bigger than your fears. This is the way she lived her life, to the end.