Mary Ellen Lucas, 81, Springfield, VA

Mary Ellen Lucas, 81, a native of Onarga, IL, died July 20, 2010 at her home in Springfield, VA following a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at Knapp Funeral Home, 115 W. Seminary Ave., Onarga, IL, at 2 PM Saturday, July 31, 2010, with Methodist Pastor Elizabeth Reis officiating.  Interment will follow immediately at the Onarga Township Cemetery.

Mary Ellen was born on December 9, 1928 in Onarga, IL.  She was one of 12 children born to William and Gussie Dannehl.  She married Charles Lucas on February 23, 1951.

Mary Ellen was a dedicated Air Force wife and avid volunteer worker.  She accompanied her husband on military assignments over 20 years, including seven years in Germany.  A Pentagon assignment brought them to the Nation’s Capital in 1966 and residency in Springfield, VA.  She was a member of Springfield’s American Legion Auxiliary Post 176 for more than 25 years, serving as a volunteer in its Bingo Program and bimonthly Blood Drives.  In addition, she worked as a Red Cross volunteer for more than 10 years in the Pharmacy at Fort Belvoir’s Dewitt Community Hospital where she was selected as the 2009 Volunteer of the Year.  She was honored by the Air Force Association for hosting its Outstanding Airmen of the Year program for 30 years at its annual National Convention.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Charles; a sister, Erna Mae Danforth of Onarga IL; and two brothers, Robert (Ruth) Dannehl of Watseka, IL, and Wayne (Carole) Dannehl of Hayward, WI.

Mrs. Lucas was preceded in death by her son Dean; her parents; brothers Henry, Kenneth, Lester, Russell and Raymond Dannehl; and sisters Margaret Tistra, Viola White, and Dorothy Lambert.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Mary’s memory may be sent to the D. L. Reed Scholarship Fund, the Onarga Historical Society, or the donor’s choice.