Gwendolyn J. Emerson

Gwendolyn Emerson, 86, formerly of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Sunday, April 4, 2021, in her home at The Phoenix at James Creek in Cumming, Georgia.

Services are 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Coal Valley, with The Rev. Tim Snart officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation is one hour before the service at the church. Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, is assisting the family.

The former Gwendolyn Jean Dolleslager was born June 25, 1934, in Moline, to Frank and Katherine (Djalag) Dolleslager. She married Denis Francis Emerson, Jr. on February 20, 1965, in East Moline. He died January 24, 1993. She was a secretary for Emco Environmental Lighting in Milan.

She had an eye and ear for beauty and enjoyed oil painting and playing piano. She was a tournament baton twirler who also led baton troupes in Silvis and Coal Valley, “passing the baton” to the next generation. She was also a gifted seamstress and could work magic on her sewing table. Professionally, she was an accomplished legal and executive secretary who loved dictating in short-hand. She had an empathetic and giving heart – especially when we were sick or needed comfort. She “hated to cook” some of the best meals we have ever had.

Gwen is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Theodore and Gayle Emerson of Tomball, Texas, and Matthew and Teffany Emerson of Cumming; three grandchildren, Laura Rose Emerson, Dylan Emerson, and Joshua Emerson; and a sister, Kathy Lynn LaBuda of Antioch, Illinois and Kathy’s children Daniel and Julie. She was preceded in death by her sister Rose Mary.

Gwen’s family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.