Published on June 25, 2026 3:26 pm
Last Updated on June 25, 2026 3:26 pm
Myrna Louise (Buerger, Bridges) Snell, 93, of Watson passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at her home in rural Watson, Illinois. Her husband of 31 years, Richard Snell survives; they resided in rural Watson on Mrs. Snell’s birthplace.
Myrna was born on May 4, 1933, on the family home place, Salt Creek, just east of Watson, Illinois. She was the youngest of four children born to Edward A. Buerger and Mary E. (Sutton) Buerger. Her parents both preceded her in death. Her siblings were Edward L. Buerger, Maralyn Sader, and Betty Jo Thurman, all deceased. Myrna lost her father at the age of one-year old and was raised by her loving mother, with additional guidance from her grandparents: Rudolph and Johanna Buerger, Martin Sutton, and her uncle and aunt, Frank and Lettie Buerger. Mary, Myrna’s mother, was a school teacher, and Myrna would walk several miles to and from school every day with her mother and siblings. She was responsible for herding the cows and helping milk them on a daily basis as well as gathering food from their garden. As depression era children, the necessity of hard work, self-reliance, perseverance and devotion were exemplified throughout the family. The lessons were hard but the moral and spiritual character learned overcame the difficult times and proved to be her saving grace. Mary Buerger later married Robert Simpson, so Myrna became a stepsister to Eugene, Robert Ray and Wilbur Simpson, Helena Smith, Ina Denton (all deceased) and Mary Louise Pontious, surviving. The Simpson family was honest, hardworking and kind. Myrna always appreciated the love, care and respect they gave her mother and the warmth and kindness given her and her family. Myrna graduated from Effingham High School, married Gene Bridges and moved to Chicago where they worked for AC Delco. They later returned to live in the Watson area where they raised three children. They were later divorced.
She is survived by daughter Deborah J. (Bridges, Tipsword), Smith and husband Mark Smith of Norman, Oklahoma; Charles G. Bridges of Effingham, Illinois and Steven W. and wife Belinda
Bridges of Louisville, Illinois. Myrna had four grandchildren, Rhonda Tipsword of Noble, Oklahoma, Shaina (Bridges) (Tyler) Boyer of Louisville, Illinois, Brice Bridges of Fairfield, Illinois, and Kaleb Hohlt of Iuka, Illinois; and four great-grandchildren, Corey Tipsword of Norman, Oklahoma, Brianna Tipsword of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jude Boyer, of Louisville, Illinois; and Wessley Hohlt of Iuka, Illinois. Before Myrna and Gene were divorced, she worked at St. Anthony Hospital of Effingham taking care of babies and mothers and also worked at Fedders Corp for a time. After their divorce, she drove the Effingham County Senior Citizens Van for a number of years. Myrna was someone who loved serving others, her family was most important to her and she always made sure everyone was taken care of before she would sit down and rest. Most importantly she loved to share her faith in Jesus Christ everywhere she went. Her passion and love for Him began as a very young girl in the little country Salt Creek Methodist Church and stayed with her to her very last breath. Myrna was a member of Elliottstown Church of Christ for many years, also Willow Street Church of Christ in Effingham, First Southern Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, and Effingham Crossroots Church. She loved to sing in the church choir, she was very good and was an inspiration for her children to be faithful, musical and artistic. She loved children and animals and her face would light up at the sight of either. She was a light and a rock for our family showing us how to forgive and love by example.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, June 29, 2026 at Crossroots Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Watson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Monday prior to the service at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.