Lavina June Curry Widner

Lavina June Curry Widner, 97, was peacefully called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 24, 2025, in Waxahachie, TX. She was born on June 28, 1928, to the late James Franklin Curry and Alice Louise Klees Curry. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, B. Eugene Widner. June was born and raised in Mascoutah, IL and lived there until 2015 when she moved to Texas. At the age of thirteen, June and her sister, Joyce, contracted two of the last cases of smallpox in the state of Illinois and were quarantined for six weeks. At the age of eighteen, she was appointed the secretary/treasurer of First Assembly of God Church in Mascoutah. After graduating from high school as valedictorian in 1946, June worked at Scott Air Force Base for seven years. She saved enough money to attend Central Bible College in Springfield, MO for one year, and upon returning home, met and married the love of her life, B. Eugene Widner on March 21, 1954. Together they had two daughters, Cheryl Widner Burrows (Keith) and Christa Widner Grant (Tim) whom they raised to follow Jesus. In 1963 at the age of 35, June was diagnosed with tuberculosis and not expected to live. Although she was allergic to the medications and unable to take them, after only one month, the doctor pronounced her healed and told her it was a miracle. In 1972 June went back to work at Scott AFB hospital and worked there until her retirement in 1988. June loved sewing, and not only made her own wedding dress, and numerous clothes for the family, but also made many beautiful quilts which have been passed on to her children and grandchildren. June’s pies were famous in the family and at church; her apple, cherry, rhubarb custard, and pecan pies were the best! However, out of all her many talents and accomplishments, she felt that her greatest legacy was instilling the importance of loving and serving Jesus. For this, we are eternally grateful. Gene and June were the backbone and arms of their church, Calvary Assembly of God in Belleville, faithfully serving and joyfully giving their tithes, time, and talent. They were greatly loved by the entire family, including seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. June is survived by her sister, Joyce Haege; daughter, Cheryl Burrows (Keith); daughter, Christa Grant (Tim); and seven grandchildren: Jennifer Burrows, Christy Burrows Cruz (Josue), Sarah Burrows McCarty (Wayne), Tiffany Grant Rinas (Craig), Jarrett Grant (Shana), Danielle Grant Flores (Stephen), Joshua Grant (Michelle), 16 great-grandchildren, and many cherished relatives and friends.

Visitation: From 12 noon to 1 PM Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL.

Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 1 PM Saturday, Nov. 1 at Moll Funeral Home and will be officiated by Pastor Carl Bowlin. Burial will follow in Mascoutah City Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.