Lavera Marie (Rauch) Bryan, age 99, of Ingraham, Illinois, passed away Sunday, August 8, 2021, at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.

   She was born May 21, 1922, in Jasper County, Illinois, the daughter of William and Alma (Kistner) Rauch.

   Lavera attended Frog Pond School and graduated from Newton High School in 1940.  She attended Eastern Illinois University.  She obtained her teaching certificate in 2 years due to the shortage of teachers because of the war draft.  She started her teaching career in one room schools.  She taught at Calvin School at Buck Grove Township, Kepley School, and Independence School in Jasper County, and Hastings School in Clay County.

   She married Jack W. Bryan on August 12, 1947.  After living in Jasper County for 2 years, they moved to the Grady Bryan farm in Pixley Township.  They raised three daughters and three sons: Jacqueline “Jackie” (Leo) Gibbons, Gale (Ann) Bryan, Larry Bryan, Jerry (Lorena Gill) Bryan, Dianne (Richard) Yates, and Nancy (Richard) Conner.  After her youngest Nancy went to school, she returned to teaching in 1967, and taught first, second, and third grade at Wendelin public school.  After many rural schools consolidated in 1971, she taught remedial reading at Clay City grade school.  After many years and students, she retired in May of 1988.

   She loved to cook and enjoyed family get-togethers and the opportunity to feed everyone really great food.  She liked to mow and weed and took great pride in her garden, flowers, and lawn.  Lavera loved her chickens and raised them for meat and eggs.  She kept canaries and enjoyed hearing them sing.  She was a member of the Richland County Home Extension group from 1990 until 2013.  She was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin and in recent years was the oldest living parishioner.  Most of all Lavera loved and enjoyed her family.   

   She is survived by her children; 17 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren; a brother: Arthur Rauch of Newton; and a sister: Geneva Geier of Wakefield.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jack on February 13, 1995; infant sons: Gary and Dwight; brothers: Wilfred, Clifford, Melvin, and Harold Rauch; a grandson: Eric Gibbons; and a granddaughter: Christina Gibbons Wolf.

   Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin, with Fr. Mark Stec celebrating mass.  Visitation will be 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.  Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.  Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Holy Cross Catholic Church or Masses and will be accepted through the funeral home.