Hazel Marie Iftner, 90, passed away suddenly, yet peacefully, on August 17, 2017, at the Homecare Center in Harvard, IL. She joins her husband Robert C. Iftner in a better place. Born Hazel Marie Birch on July 14, 1927, to the late Jesse and Hazel Birch, Marie grew up on a farm in Griggsville, Illinois. Marie attended Brush College School and Griggsville High School, before attending Western Illinois University in Macomb, where she was a charter and founding member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority on that campus; one which her granddaughter, Grace, would join more than 60 years later much to Marie’s delight. In 1948, Marie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from WIU in Home Economics, followed later by a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Northern Illinois University. Upon graduation from college, Marie taught home economics in Gilman, Illinois prior to marrying Robert C. Iftner on February 3, 1949. When her children were older, Marie returned to teaching and taught 6th grade math, 4th grade and later became a librarian in the Harvard schools which she did for many years. After retiring she and her husband, Robert, spent winters in Naples, FL where they enjoyed community living and the excellent churches in the area. A 50-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harvard, with a deep faith in God and a generous and forgiving soul, Marie loved cooking delicious home-style meals for her children, spending time with family and visiting with friends. She always had a beautiful smile on her face and a kind word for others. Marie always said that her greatest asset was her family. That same family will miss her deeply, but can take solace in knowing that she has joined the angels and will watch over them from above for always. Marie is survived by her 4 sons and 1 daughter (and their spouses): David and Kaye Iftner of Pittsfield, IL; Steven and Lana Iftner of Winston-Salem, NC; Christine and Jeffrey Perenchio of Arlington Heights, IL; Philip and Kelly Iftner of Harvard, IL; and James and Jennifer Iftner of Harvard, IL.; her 10 grandchildren: Clarisse O’Rourke, Nickolas Iftner, Grace Iftner and Cameron Iftner; Megan Iftner, Thomas Iftner, and Eric Iftner; Max Perenchio and Cody Perenchio; and Christophe Iftner; her 3 great-
grandchildren; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by 2 sisters and their spouses: Lois and Robert Purdy of Shabbona, IL; and Gladys and Richard Myers of Griggsville, IL. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Birch of Griggsville, IL. The family will receive friends and family on Monday, August 21 from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home in Harvard, IL. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 22 at the First Presbyterian Church, 7100 Harvard Hills Road, Harvard, IL 60033. Interment will follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Harvard.