Mildred Kirtley

Mildred Louise Kirtley nee Skaggs age 79 of Montgomery, Illinois, passed away Thursday, December 13, 2018 and is at home with her Lord, Jesus Christ.

Mildred was born November 19, 1939 in Taylor County, Kentucky to proud parents Willie & Virgie (Bell) Skaggs.  She attended the nearby one-room schoolhouse. Among her fondest memories of school was competing in the Taylor County Spelling Bee and being crowned Champion Speller as an 8th grader. 

Upon graduation from Taylor County High School, Mildred married Robert “Rob” Kirtley, who had served in the military and was a Campbellsville, Kentucky native.  Before settling down in Aurora, Illinois the pair traveled around the United States while Rob worked on the pipeline.  In 1958, Mildred and Rob welcomed a baby daughter, Donna Gayle, and 4 years later were blessed with another daughter Virginia “Sue”.  In 1971, Mildred and Rob welcomed a son, Steven Robert. 

The family took frequent trips to Kentucky where Mildred loved spending time with her family.  Mildred relished her time as a homemaker and was well known for her delicious cakes.  Among family members, it’s been said that no one could bake an Italian Creme cake or a Jam cake like Aunt Mildred.  As her children grew up, Mildred began to work outside the home, being employed by Aramark Food Services in the Oswego School District.  For many years, she lovingly prepared and served lunches to students at Thompson Junior High School.  

Mildred is survived by her three children: Donna Hailey, Sue Owens, and Steve (Nikki) Kirtley; nine grandchildren: Rickey & Christopher Hailey; Michael Kirtley; Kristin Carty; Heather, Danny, & Chloe Owens; Alexander & Benjamin Kirtley; six great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.  She is preceded in death by her husband Robert “Rob” Kirtley, her parents Willie & Virgie Skaggs, her brother Rev. Otis Skaggs, and and 2 granddaughters Olivia Hailey & Brianna Owens.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 18th from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Dieterle Memorial Home 1120 Broadway, Montgomery, IL. Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 19th at 10:00 AM at Dieterle Memorial Home followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery in Montgomery, IL.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mildred’s name to the National Breast Cancer Coalition and The Alzheimer’s Disease Association.