Velma Eunice Amanda Vera Atherton, age 85, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 10:22 A.M. on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois. She was born on August 17, 1928 in Centralia, Illinois, the daughter of Ferdinand and Martha (Oestreich) Riechmann. She married Evan Charles Atherton on June 14, 1959 in Centralia, Illinois and he preceded her in death on May 12, 2005. Mrs. Atherton is survived by her son Charles Atherton of Centralia, Illinois, daughter Martha Ann Lamczyk and husband Barney of Du Bois, Illinois, grandson Christopher Lamczyk of Du Bois, Illinois, 1 brother Gerald Riechmann of Caseyville, Illinois, 3 nephews James Whisenand, Jack Whisenand and Charles Whisenand and 3 nieces Marilyn Townsend, Janet Harvey and Gaylia Criner and families. In addition to her husband of 45 years, Mrs. Atherton was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers Irvin Riechmann and Ferdinand Riechmann, 2 sisters Viola Riechmann and Frieda Riechmann and 1 niece Lorraine Reich. Mrs. Atherton has been active in the St. Peter United Church of Christ as church secretary, Sunday school teacher, choir member, E.R.M. Society and Ladies Aid. She participated in the Centralia Cultural Society Chorus. She enjoyed spending time with her family, Centralia Township High School Class of 1946, Lunch Bunch, Thyme To Garden Club, collecting cook books, tending to her garden, her farm animals, seeing wild birds in the yard, deer in the field, watching John Fuller's weather forecast and cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Team. She retired in 1961 as secretary with Star Service and Petroleum Company in Centralia, Illinois. She has lived her whole life in Centralia, Illinois. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, January 20, 2014 at St. Peter United Church of Christ in Centralia, Illinois with Reverend Kenneth D. Kramer, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia, Illinois. Friends may call from 4:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois and from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services on Monday, January 20, 2013 at the church.