Georgiabelle Holstine

Georgiabelle Becker Holstine, 92 of Aledo, formerly of Reynolds, died Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Genesis Senior Living, Aledo. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will be in Reynolds Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 4 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Reynolds United Methodist Church, Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department or the Alzheimers Association. Georgiabelle was born on October 31, 1923 in Mercer County to John E. & Katherine (Gray) Becker. She was a 1941 graduate of Reynolds High School and attended Western Illinois University for 2 years. She started teaching in one room schools with 8 grades for one teacher. While in college, Georgiabelle met Walter Holstine of Colchester. They married on April 28, 1945 and lived on the family farm in Colchester for 2 years. They then moved to the Becker farm near Reynolds and raised 5 children, William, Anne, James, Wayne and Richard. She received her four year degree from Mary Crest College, Davenport in June, 1968. Georgiabelle retired from the Rockridge School District in 1984 after 24 years of teaching. Georgiabelle was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Post #1188, Reynolds and was in charge of the school essay contest for 24 years. She was a board member for 4 years on the Methodist Church sponsored Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana. Georgiabelle dearly loved flowers and was always planting more. She enjoyed watching and studying birds. Walter and Georgiabelle took many car and bus trips all over the United States and Canada. They made 18 trips to Mercedes, Texas, where many friends from this area went for the winter. Georgiabelle is survived by her husband of 70 years, Walter; 4 children and spouses: William & Carol of Nevada, IA; Anne & Allen Holdsworth of Aledo ; Jim & Savilla of Milan and Wayne & Gay of Cedar Rapids; 8 grandchildren and families: Andy & Phoung Holstine and their children: Stella, Gable, Evie, Bela and Remy; Robert & Leanna Holstine and children: Sawyer and Charlotte; Kevin & Sarah Holstine and their son, Raymond; Jon & Linde Holstine and their children: Adilyn and Maya; Jeff & Danielle Holdsworth and their children: Mikayla and Ayden; Jessica & Eric Vanasdale; Emily Koebbe and her children, Nathan and Helen and Russell and Natalie Holstine. Also surviving are in-laws: Meryl Cook, Merle Parks and Paul Parks and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Richard in 1971 and a sister, Martha in 2009. The family would like to thank Genesis Senior Living for the excellent and attentive care given to Georgiabelle during her time with them.