Ethel Mae Bretz

Ethel Mae Bretz Ethel Mae Bretz, age 97, a resident of Trenton, Missouri, formerly of Cowgill, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at Sunnyview Nursing Home, Trenton, Missouri. Ethel Mae was born the daughter of John Olen and Ernie Lavenia Jackson on May 4, 1919, in Hamilton, Missouri. She spent 69 years of her life in Cowgill, Missouri. She was a 1935 graduate of Cowgill High School. She then attended Chillicothe Business College, graduating in 1939. She was united in marriage to Dr. O.C. Kilbourn on December 23, 1940, in Olathe, Kansas. He preceded her in death on July 22, 1960. Ethel was then united in marriage to George Russell Bretz on November 5, 1966, in Cowgill, Missouri. He preceded her in death on October 19, 1984. She worked as a bookkeeper for Polo Farm Supply from October 1963 until February 1983. She then worked as a postal clerk at the Cowgill Post Office until her retirement in 1998. Ethel Mae was a faithful member of the Cowgill United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Secretary of the board, the choir, and United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the City Council, serving as treasurer, Cowgill Community Association Treasurer, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Caldwell County Health Department, and the American Cancer Society. Ethel was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Trenton, Missouri, where she was active in the Wesley UMC Women, the Wesley UMC Choir, the Wesley UMC Retirees, and the Ecumenical Bible Study. Ethel was an R.S.V.P. volunteer at Wright Memorial Hospital for many years. Survivors include one sister, Mary Freeman of Trenton, Missouri; step son, Jim Bretz of Blue Springs, Missouri; step daughter-in-law, Rosemary Tede of Lake Tapawingo, Missouri; step granddaughter, Gretchen Bretz of Lake Tapawingo, Missouri; step great grandson, Ian Bretz-Brown of Lake Tapawingo, Missouri; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dr. O.C. Kilbourn; husband George Bretz; six brothers, J.D., Dean, Paul, Donald, Jerry, and Allen Jackson; one sister, Maurine Jackson; and one infant sister. Funeral services will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Trenton, Missouri, on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. A scheduled family visitation will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Trenton, Missouri, on Saturday, November 5, 2016, one hour prior to the service from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, November 4, 2016, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Cowgill Cemetery, Cowgill, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ethel Mae Bretz Memorial Fund and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.