Rosemary May Cloe

Rosemary May (McDonald) Cloe, 88, of rural Tower Hill, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, March 20, 2025, in her home surrounded by her children and several grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Matt Brown officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. - noon Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery, Pana, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Pana Youth Baseball and Softball Organization (PYBSO).

Rosemary was born on September 5, 1936, near Lakewood, IL, the daughter of Leverett E. and Dortha W. (Sherwood) McDonald. She attended school in Dollville and Tower Hill, IL. Rosemary married Robert “Bob” Cloe on April 24, 1952. He preceded her in death on September 9, 1984. After her husband’s death, Rosemary at age 47, attended Decatur School of Nursing, receiving her degree as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). She primarily worked at Pana Community Hospital and for local physician, Dr. Bradley Wood. Rosemary had an avid faith and attended New Hope Baptist Church for many years. She loved going to the Senior Citizens Center in Pana to play Pinochle with her friends. Rosemary was very talented in Swedish weaving and knitting, often making blankets for her family. Her favorite pastimes were sitting on her deck watching the birds, going to watch her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, and collecting costume jewelry. Rosemary sacrificed her life for her ten children and shared her home throughout the years with 65 foster children.

She is survived by her children, Michael Cloe (Janet) of Carterville, IL, Linda Richardson of Springfield, IL, Sharon Flatt (Tom) of Rosamond, IL, Cathy Markham (Steve) of Nokomis, IL, Mitchell Cloe (Vicki) of Pana, IL, Mark Cloe (Beverly) of Shelbyville IL, Marty Cloe (Evelyn) of Tower Hill, IL, Valerie Cloe Funneman (Donnie) of Pana, IL and Matt Cloe (Kimberly) of Pana, IL; additional sons, Les Ray (Kellie) of Herrick, IL and Greg Smith (Saundra) of Dallas, GA; 43 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leverett and Dortha McDonald; husband, Bob Cloe; daughter, Karen Cloe Woodland; siblings, Wilmer McDonald, Juanita Gerhold, Ervin Loel “Lefty” McDonald, and Harold “Eugene” McDonald; granddaughters, Chanelle Holmes and Chelsea Alderman; and great grandchildren, Hazel Holmes, Titan Markham and Braxton Kollman.

The Cloe family would like to give special thanks to Elara Caring, nurses Chelsie Durham and Alice, Dr. Coleen Rakers for her compassion and care through Rosemary’s illnesses, and to Alona Workman for keeping Mom in eggrolls.