By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
5 Comments
  • Visitation

    Thursday, March 3, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL

  • Service

    Friday, March 4, 2022
    10:30 am
    Elm River (Brown) Cumberland Presbyterian Church
    Mt. Erie, IL

  • Full Obituary


    Former Cisne resident Margaret Stella (Fildes) Pryor, 90, passed away quietly on February 25th, 2022, in Papillon, Nebraska.

    Stella was born to James and Margaret (Shelton) Fildes on September 21st,1931, in Elm River Township near Mt. Erie, Illinois.  Raised on a farm as the sixth of seven sisters, Stella graduated from Cisne High School then continued to receive her bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

    While at Carbondale, Stella married James Pryor, started a family, and began her teaching career.  With young children, Stella temporarily stepped away from teaching while following James’s career and resided in Belvidere, Jacksonville, South Roxana, and Decatur before settling down in Pekin, Illinois.  Although their marriage did not last, the mutual commitment to their three children remained.

    Stella resumed her teaching career at North Pekin District 102 briefly before several years with Pekin Public Schools District 108.  She spent the bulk of her career teaching Art at Washington and Broadmoor Junior Highs.  She maintained her interest in arts and crafts throughout her life.  Her watercolor paintings are especially treasured by her family.

    While in Pekin, Stella was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church and was active supporting civil rights during the 60’s and 70’s with the Tazewell County Human Relations Committee and Peoria Urban League.

    Stella spent her retirement years in Cisne, Illinois where she was a member of the Elm River Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Wayne County Retired Teachers Association, before spending her final years in Nebraska near her daughter, Vera.

    Stella is survived by her daughters Vera (Michael) Mueller of Omaha, Nebraska, and Lisa (Timothy) Oltman of Pleasant Plains, Illinois; her son Darrell (Debra) Pryor of St. Paul, Missouri; six grandchildren: Jonathan (Kristina) Mueller, Timothy (Heather) Oltman, Margaret (Ryan Melchin) Oltman, Amber Pryor, Connor Pryor and Mason Pryor; granddaughter-in-law Caitlin Oltman; five great grandchildren: Hunter and Esme Oltman, Violet Oltman, Theodore Oltman, and Grace Melchin; and a brother-in-law Robert Walker of Mt. Erie, Illinois.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Sylvia Marks, Lenora Walker, Mary Ferrell, Helen Walker, Ruth Wisner, and Lyla Gillard and a grandson Sgt. Paul James Oltman USMC.

    Visitation:  5-7PM, Thursday March 3, 2022, at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL

    Funeral Service:  10:30AM Friday, March 4, 2022, at Elm River (Brown) Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Mt. Erie, IL

    Interment:  Brown Cemetery near Mt. Erie, IL

    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Elm River Cumberland Presbyterian Church or Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home or church

    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.

5 Condolences
 
  1. Brenda Lesesne / March 3, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    I was a friend of Mrs. Pryor’s daughter Vera and remember going to their home on Manor Street in Pekin many times. Vera’s Mom was ALWAYS so kind and warm, so loving. She just loved and accepted us for who we were and was always encouraging in all of our endeavors. She also was a good seamstress and made my bridesmaid dress for Vera’s wedding. Thank you, Mrs. Pryor for your loving kindness. You also had a strong faith in God and I am sure you are now in heaven. Brenda Davis Lesesne

  2. Connie Disney / March 4, 2022 at 9:36 pm

    I met Stella when we both taught school in Pekin Elementary District 108. I also was with her in the Tazewell County Human Relations Committee. She was active in our Teacher Union and she tried and tried until I became active in it as well. We had known each other a few years when we were talking about being from Southern Illinois and we realized I had her sister, Helen Walker as my Home Economics teacher in Ridgway High School. I always had great respect and admiration for her quiet dedication to those causes she believed in.

  3. Becky Hillard / March 7, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    Condolences to all of Stella’s family. I am part of her Fildes family. My grandfather, Rice & her dad, Jim were brothers. I knew Stella and all her sisters & “Uncle Jim & Aunt Maggie.” Stella & I used to have short visits on the square in Cisne during the reunions when she still lived there. I had missed seeing her there the last few years and wondered about her as well as Bob Walker. So sorry to hear this news. I know that you, her family, have been blessed to have her in your lives. She was a special lady. God bless you all.

  4. Mike Olson / March 8, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    I had Ms. Pryor as an art teacher way back at Broadmoor Jr. High and my mom still has an art project I made then. My condolences to the family of a very nice and caring former teacher of mine.

  5. Sheri L Pape / March 12, 2022 at 3:24 pm

    She was my favorite and the best art teacher I ever had. Very caring.

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