By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
21 Comments
  • Visitation

    Wednesday, January 25, 2023

    5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.

  • Service

    Graveside Service

    Saturday, January 28, 1:00 pm

    Cisne Cemetery

  • Full Obituary


    Dr. Aimee Reel Hemphill gained her wings on January 14, 2023, at Evelyn's House in Creve Coeur, Missouri following a brief illness. Aimee was the second child out of four children born to Robert A Reel, Sr, and Hazel (Stine) Reel on September 3, 1949. She is survived by two brothers, Robert A, Jr (Cheryl) and Joel, and a sister Christine (Tony) Graves. She was a loving mother to her daughter Darcy E Hemphill and grandson Asa Hemphill Roeters. Sam Spiller, Aimee's longtime friend and companion shared the love of the outdoors, enjoying their time together, gardening, hiking and conservation work.

    Aimee graduated from Marion High School in 1967 with honors. She was accepted into the school of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. After graduation from U of I she went on to get her Masters in Veterinary Science at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Aimee enjoyed a career as a vet doing relief work in Southern Illinois and Arizona. A highlight of her career was working as a vet during the Iditarod Race in Alaska. She checked the sled dogs to ensure their feet were free of frostbite and the overall health of the dogs to continue the race was safe.

    Aimee was an accomplished piano player. She loved teaching Asa the piano and playing duets with him.

    After retirement, Aimee did volunteer work at the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Aimee led the designing and planting of native prairie plants to benefit the pollinator insect conservation and led the Bluebird Nest box monitoring. She also conducted butterfly counts, wildflower hikes and environmental education programs at the Refuge.

    Visitation: Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 5:00 -7:00 pm at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.

    Graveside Service: Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 1:00 pm in Cisne Cemetery. Friends and Family are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

    Memorials may be given to Friends of Crab Orchard Refuge and mailed to 6987 Headquarters Road, Marion, IL 62959 and will also be accepted at the funeral home.

    Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at
    www.meridithfuneralhome.com

    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, Il.

     

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

21 Condolences
 
  1. Ruthie Griffith / January 19, 2023 at 6:33 am

    My thoughts and prayers with you all. I cherish the memories made while growing up in Flora and am truly blessed to have known her.

  2. Tonya D Miller / January 19, 2023 at 9:06 am

    We are terribly saddened to hear about Aimee. She was always so full of life! She was such a kind, considerate and caring person. I never saw anyone love dogs or the outdoors like Aimee did. She will be missed by so many. You are all in our prayers.

  3. Janie Pettigrew / January 19, 2023 at 10:04 am

    What a contribution she was at Crab Orchard, she will be greatly missed. My condolences to Sam and all her family and friends.

  4. William Hogsett, Crab Orchard NWR / January 19, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    Aimee was an active member of the Friends of Crab Orchard NWR, volunteering countless hours to the betterment of the Refuge. Her dedication to the flora and fauna on the Refuge will ensure that the beauty of the land is available to generations to come. Sincere condolences to her loved ones and many friends. All of us on the staff at Crab Orchard NWR are sending our thoughts and prayers.

  5. Kent Newton / January 19, 2023 at 1:56 pm

    I will treasure the years working with Aimee on the Blue Bird Project and the Pollinator Gardens at the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Also, in my memory banks are the many nature hikes exploring Southern Illinois, our dinners, picnics, boat rides, fishing times and just hanging out with with my friends Aimee and Sam. I will view my photos often. Condolences to Family, Sam and Friends.

  6. Jan Vest / January 19, 2023 at 6:30 pm

    Dear Sam and family – Aimee will live in the many hearts that she touched forever. Jane and I send you are sincere condolences and care during this difficult time.

    Jan and Jane Vest

  7. Bob and Linda Griffith / January 19, 2023 at 7:28 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss of your Precious Aimee. May you have peace in your hearts knowing you will see her again in our Heavenly home one day. Cling to your Precious memories of her that will forever remain in your hearts!

  8. Lisa Erbacher / January 20, 2023 at 4:26 am

    Darcy..I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet mother. You both were very special to me & my family thru your years in Flora. I am so glad we have visited these last few years. Prayers for peace and comfort and much love to you.

  9. William McDowell / January 20, 2023 at 10:49 am

    My deepest sympathy for Aimee and her family! I’ll always remember you!

  10. Cheryl Fassett / January 21, 2023 at 8:37 am

    Gone to soon Miss Aimee, I have the privilege to call you my cousin, I cherish the time we had at our Cobb Bay fishing lodge last summer with you Joel and Sam.

    RIP Aimee

    Love Cheryl

  11. John & Star. / January 23, 2023 at 1:32 pm

    So sorry for the families loss. It was always a joy talking to her and Sam.

  12. Juanita and Pierre / January 23, 2023 at 4:06 pm

    Sam, Darcy, Asa, Robert, Joel, Chris, and all the family,
    Aimee touhed everyone she knew, and even complete strangers with her special kind of joy and love. Her curiosity and enthusiasm were inspiring. Her friend for over 60 years, I am deeply saddened to lose her. Pierre and I send condolences to all of the family and will pray for you.

  13. Laraine Wright / January 24, 2023 at 5:46 am

    How very lucky I was to know Aimee. She will remain forever in my heart and memories of the Crab Orchard bluebird trail, our lunch talks together, how we appreciated laughter, the books we shared. Her legacy is wide in her family and friends as well as the birds that fly and the native plants that will continue to bloom and nourish in the refuge. She was an endearing educator with a soul full of love and a spirit of pure delight with being alive.

  14. Emmy Taylor Hamlin / January 24, 2023 at 6:38 am

    Darcy, your mother was always so kind and such a wonderful woman. I’m sorry for your family’s loss.

  15. Ruie Whitecotton / January 24, 2023 at 11:50 am

    Aimee was the embodiment of joy and friendship. So many sweet memories of gardening together and loving conversations. Her memory lives on in the plants and birds on the Refuge. The Refuge was a place of Refuge for her and I pray Sam, Darcy, and all of her family and many friends will find some solace in the love and joy she brought to so many.

  16. Dhara M / January 24, 2023 at 4:36 pm

    Mrs Hemphil, thank you for giving me memories that I will never forget. Thank you for always inviting me with open arms and big smiles. Your compassion towards everyone and everything was contagious. You will be missed but never forgotten.

  17. Mary Jane Dodge / January 24, 2023 at 5:33 pm

    Darcy, So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I always enjoyed the time that Aimee and I spent together on BPW business and meetings here in Flora.. Also enjoyed seeing you grow up! Your mother touched many people’s lives and will be fondly remembered. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

  18. Jack & Freda Stanfield 1741 Vandalia Rd. Louisville, IL. 62858 / January 25, 2023 at 3:02 pm

    Darcy, Asa, & Sam. Aimee was a dear friend, we have had such great visits together. She was family! Always a smile, a hug, so sweet, an kind. All you had to observe her taking care of customers animals, her personal enter being always came through. Her passing leaves a hole in her family and many friends hearts.Prayers

  19. Steve and Kathy Belletire / January 27, 2023 at 7:59 am

    Dear Darcy, Asa and Sam,
    We offer our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Aimee was our dearest friend and a kindred spirit.
    We shared many happy hikes together where Aimee would tell us the names of birds by their songs and Sam would name the trees. We miss her deeply and carry her memory in our heats.
    With Love, Kathy and Steve

  20. Rhoda Ralston / January 27, 2023 at 5:57 pm

    My deepest condolences to all of Aimee’s Family and Friends. We have indeed lost a precious soul that graced us all by crossing our paths in this lifetime. I was blessed by Aimee to have an enduring friendship with her since our meeting in veterinary school at Washington State University. in the mid 1970’s. We had many adventures together enjoying the great outdoors. I am so grateful for all the fond memories of good times shared. Her friendship and companionship will be sorely missed.

    With Much Love, especially to Darcy, Asa, and Sam
    Rhoda

  21. Denise King / January 27, 2023 at 8:03 pm

    Dear Sam, Darcy, Asa, and other family,
    Condolences on the loss of Aimee. She was a warm, kind, considerate, intelligent and fun-loving person who will be greatly missed. We join you in your sorrow and pray your wonderful memories of Aimee bring you comfort.
    Condolences,
    Denise King and Mark DiPietro
    Maple Grove, Minnesota

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