Grace J. (Silliman) Caudill (2018)
BARK, BORDERS, CAUDILL, CLIFTON, ERTL, FOLLMAN, GRINDSTAFF, GRINDSTAFF-WILLIAMS, MCDONALD, NUZUM, PHIFFER, SCHUNK, SILLIMAN, SMITH, TOMLINSON, WILLIAMS
Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:40
Kale Funeral Home
St. Charles, IAGrace J Caudill
Grace J. (Silliman) Caudill " Gracie" was born July 29, 1921 in Rugby, North Dakota to Arthur and Grace (Tomlinson) Silliman. Grace died May 23, 2018 in Racine, Wisconsin.
Preceding her in death are her husband, Walter Franklin Caudill; daughter, Lorraine Grace Caudill, birth parents, Arthur and Grace (Tomlinson) Silliman; Nurturing parents, Sylvester and Eletha (Silliman) Clifton "Momma and Papa"; son-in-law, Roy Arthur Grindstaff I "Budd"; grandson Justin Caudill; great granddaughter Baily Williams; Six brothers, Charles "Johnnie" (Lydia) Silliman; William (Mammie) Silliman; Clair (Marjorie) Silliman; Fred (Elva) Silliman; Cladue (Jessie) Silliman; Harold (Marge) Silliman; Three sisters, Mary Clifton (Wayne) Nuzum; Ellah Silliman Mc Donald; and Edna "Toots" Silliman (Bruce) Follman.
Grace had a challenging beginning in life. Grace and her twin brother Harold were born the eighth and ninth children in their family. They arrived two months prematurely. Their mother Grace died three days later due to complications of child birth. Grace weighed 2 pounds and Harold weighed 2 1/2 pounds. Arthur, with seven children at home, sought help from his family in Iowa and transported Grace and Harold from North Dakota to Iowa in shoe boxes.
Grace was raised by Arthur's sister and her husband Eletha and Sylvester Clifton. Harold was raised by Arthur's parents Charles and Mary Silliman all of Peru, Iowa. Grace knew the Cliftons as "Momma and Pappa". She adored her sister Mary Clifton. Her father Arthur visited his "Iowa children" as often as work and children in North Dakota allowed. Arthur remained unmarried until his death.
Grace grew up loving farm and domestic life. She married Walter Franklin Caudill September 8, 1943 in Winterset, Iowa. The maid of honor was Walter's sister and Grace's best friend Esther Caudill Smith. Donald Smith, Esther's husband, was Walter's best man.
Grace and Walter had six children Loris, Loren, Loyd, Lorraine, Lola and Lorrinda. Grace’s greatest joy on earth was her family. Grace's greatest passion in life was the spiritual condition of her family and friends. Grace accepted Jesus into her heart while listening to a Christian radio broadcast in her teen years. Grace led her parents, the Clifton's, to Jesus in the years that followed. Grace and Walter saw all their children come to salvation in Jesus during the child rearing years. The Caudill's were loving members of three churches over the years, St. Charles Christian Church, St. Charles Community Church and Winterset Foursquare Church where the children grew up under the ministry of the beloved pastors Charles and Barbara Updike.
Grace was famous for her hospitality, tea parties, and especially for her raisin filled cookies. She loved antiques and decorating. After her children were raised she worked several years as a home health aid for Earlham Care. She loved her clients and provided countless goodies for their enjoyment.
Travel was a pleasure. Grace kept a journal of every trip. She logged each stop, including in the record a description of the cuisine, the decor, and the cost of every transaction.
As health failed, Grace lived the last eight years of her life with daughters in Indiana and Wisconsin. Even then, she participated in church and family activities.
Grace is survived by her children, Loris Grindstaff of Mt.Vernon, Ohio; Loren Caudill of Peru, Iowa; Loyd (Dreama) Caudill of Gallion, Ohio; Lola (Bruce) Borders of Jasonville, Indiana; and Lorrinda (Robert) Ertl of Racine, Wisconsin.
Grand children are, Roy Arthur (Dana) Grindstaff II, Benjamin Grindstaff, Yolonda Grindstaff-Williams; Scott (Carie) Caudill; (Kim) Caudill, Brian(Yuliya) Caudill; Cara (Joseph) Phiffer; Bethany (Isaac) Schunk, Rebekah (Brian) Bark; Jordan Borders; Rachel Ertl; Daniel Ertl; Jason (Alyssa) Ertl; Hannah Ertl; Sarah Ertl; and 15 great grandchildren, Sophia Williams, Sarah Grindstaff, Corbin Caudill, Jedidiah Caudill, Michael Caudill, Jacob Caudill, Emma Caudill, Sophiya Caudill, Oliver Caudill, Felicity Bark, Elijah Bark, Andrew Schunk, Joshua Schunk, Levi Schunk, and Gabriel Ertl.
Visitation: MAY 27, 2018,01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Funeral Service: MAY 27, 2018 02:00 PM
Cemetery: Ebenezer Cemetery, Truro, IA, 50257
Link to Gravestone Photo
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