Venita Elder Obituary

Venita Ann Elder, 94, of Hannibal, formerly of New London and Center, MO, passed away at 9:38 am Friday, July 11, 2025, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. Friends and Family are invited to Venita's Life Celebration at a visitation that will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at James O'Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal, MO. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the funeral home. Pastor Larry Cornelius will officiate. Burial will be at Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal, MO. Venita was born on Friday, January 30, 1931, the daughter of Homer N. and Reba Mae Lucas Tiller, at the home of her grandparents, Robert & Anne Catherine Gibson Lucas, southwest of New London in rural Ralls County, Missouri, a country girl at heart. She was united in marriage to Daniel L. Elder on November 2, 1956, they were married for 58 years and he preceded her in death on February 8, 2016. Survivors include her two daughters, Nancy A. Lamberson of Hannibal, MO and Jean Fowler (Glenn) of Vandalia, MO; five grandchildren, Nanette Johnson (Joe), Carla Lamberson, and Nathan Lamberson all of Hannibal, MO, Lucas Fowler (Madison Turntine) of Oak Grove, MO, and Logan Fowler of Vandalia, MO; three great grandchildren, Regan Ewert (Jesse), Skyleah Jo Robertson (Blake), and Jared Johnson of Hannibal, MO; four great great grandchildren, Adisyn and Ainslee Baker, Silas and Sebastian Ewert. Brother-in-law, Howard Lake of Philadelphia and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Venita graduated from Center High School with the class of 1949, known to her classmates as "Tiller Ann", she loved playing basketball and carried fond memories of her younger days. Venita continued her education at Kirksville State Teachers College, attending 4 semesters to obtain her Teachers Certificate, and continued to attend for several short spring/summer terms there. She taught school at Cross Lane School in rural Ralls County and Crow School in rural Audrain County. When the country schools consolidated, she pursued other careers, working in the warehouse office at the International Shoe Co., St. Elizabeth Hospital, in the lab, and Western Printing and Publishing Co., until they closed the Hannibal plant and moved to St. Louis, Life and Causality Insurance Co., and New London Company. Dan planted the garden and Venita canned or froze whatever he harvested. Strawberries were a family favorite in the late spring months when they were so plentiful. Venita loved spending time with her family, going to the Forget Me Not Senior Center, playing cards or other games whenever possible. Word search puzzles, watching cardinals and eagles and watching the Gameshow Network were also a few of Venita's favorites. Venita was preceded in death by her parents Homer and Reba Mae Tiller; a son, Nathan Louis Elder; son-in-law, Marion Lamberson; and great great grandchild, Elli Renee Baker. Pallbearers will be Glenn Fowler, Lucas Fowler, Nathan R. Lamberson, Jared Johnson, Joe Johnson, and Leslie Cornelius. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Lamberson, Logan Fowler, Jessie Lucas, Brad Lucas, Jiggs Lucas, Howard Lake, and Robert Lamberson. Memorial contributions may be made to Forget Me Not Senior Center in New London, MO or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Venita, please visit our floral store.