Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Dena Wathan
Mar 24th, 1933 - Mar 25th, 2015Dena D. (Oulrey) Wathan, age 82, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at her home in Xenia.
Dena was born March 24, 1933 in Clay County to John and Elnora (McCally) Oulrey. She married Melvin “Gene” Wathan on March 21, 1953, at the Xenia Christian Church. He preceded her in death on February 18, 2008. Dena was a homemaker and a member of the Xenia Christian Church and was a former youth director for Modern Woodmen. She was a wonderful mom and grandma who looked after neighbors and enjoyed cooking and gardening. For as long as most people can remember, Dena could be seen working at the Xenia Fish Fry.
She is survived by her daughter: Barbara (Walter) Cantrell of Plano; 2 brothers: Buck (Darlene) Oulrey of Salem and Sam (Lorraine) Oulrey of Bonita Springs, FL; daughter-in-law: Betty Wathan of Flora; 4 grandchildren: Matt (Danielle) Cantrell of Round Lake Beach, Deanna Cantrell of Plano, Michael Cantrell of Plano, and Joshua Wathan (Alicia Bidabe) of Rinard; 3 step-grandchildren: Sam Dulaney, Vicki Campos, and Jesse Campos; 2 great-grandchildren: Brendon Wathan and Presley Wathan; and 6 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son: David Wathan, 4 brothers: Halice Oulrey, Charles and wife Lee Oulrey, Deward Oulrey, and Francis “Cotton” and wife Mary Lou Oulrey, and 1 step-granddaughter: Trisha.
A funeral service for Dena Wathan will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2015, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Pastor Bruce Horsley officiating. Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be given to Clay County Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home. To share a condolence, visit www.frankandbright.com.