Eleanor Bridwell

SIKESTON - Eleanor "Ellie" Burden Bridwell, 84, formerly of Charleston, died at 7:36 p.m., Nov. 6, 2006, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Born April 18, 1922, in Advance, to the late Ernest and Nora Pike Williams, she had attended St. Elizabeth Girls Academy in St. Louis and then graduated in 1940 from St. Mary's High School in Royal Oak, Mich. She had been an active member of St. Henry's Catholic Church in Charleston, a member of the Daughters of Isabella, volunteered at Sells Nursing Home and served until 2005 as a Pink Lady at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She had been employed as a secretary at Charles M. Mitchell Realtors and was a current member of St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church.

On Sept. 2, 1940, in Charleston, she married Harold G. Burden, who preceded her in death on Aug. 17, 1966. On March 3, 1978, she married Ray E. Bridwell and he preceded her in death on Dec. 19, 1995.

One son, Larry F. Burden, preceded her in death on April 15, 2002. Three brothers and five sisters also preceded her in death.

Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Carlene Burden of Sikeston; one daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Steve Rattini-Harris of South Bend, Ind.; one daughter-in-law, Jane Burden of Sikeston; and 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Henry's Church in Charleston. The Rev. Richard Rolwing, senior priest in residence, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery near Charleston.