Published on January 6, 2026 6:28 am
Last Updated on January 6, 2026 8:22 am
Kathleen Ann King, age 81, of Dieterich, Illinois, passed away at 3:35 PM – Sunday, January 4, 2026, at HSHS Saint John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.
A service celebrating Kathy’s life will be held at 12:00 PM – Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois, with Mike Elliott officiating. The burial will be in Dieterich Village Cemetery in Dieterich, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 AM until service time. In loving memory of Kathy, memorials may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Kathleen Ann, better known as Kathy, was born on February 4, 1944, in Saint Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Melvin “Bud” and Ruth Elnora (Weisenburg) Eatherton, Sr. She married George L. King on November 17, 1962, and he preceded her in death on January 2, 2007. Kathy was a cook for many years at local truck stops in the Effingham area and was known as a good cook and pie baker. She was a member of the Wheeler Christian Church and the Dieterich American Legion Ladies Auxiliary where she had served as past President and Secretary. She enjoyed making crafts.
Kathy is survived by: Children – George (wife Regina) King of Saint Elmo, Illinois; Julie (King) Martin of Sigel, Illinois; Shannon (King) Flenner of Flora, Illinois; and Lotte (King) (husband Jason) Houser of Greenup, Illinois; 12 Grandchildren; 37 Great Grandchildren; 8 Great-Great Grandchildren.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law George Martin, 3 great grandchildren James Williams, Danny Williams and Christopher Martin, brother Melvin Eatherton, Jr and father and mother-in-law Gradon and Irene King.