Natalie Buckles' Obituary
Decatur-Natalie Buckles, 99, of Decatur passed away 10:01 pm Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Heritage Manor.
A memorial gathering to celebrate Natalie's life will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 18, 2010 at The Beach House, 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive, in Decatur. Memorial donations may be made to the 1st Presbyterian Church in Decatur or St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home assisted with arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with Natalie's family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Natalie was born December 23, 1910 in Fanano, Italy the daughter of Amilcare and Julia Maria (Gambaiani) Ricci. Natalie was twenty-one months old when she arrived at Ellis Island and moved to Decatur with her parents at the age of nine years old. She took a job at the age of fifteen at Linn & Scruggs Department Store in Decatur. Natalie married Bob Buckles April 20, 1929 in Decatur. Bob preceded her in death in 1964. Natalie was employed as a sales clerk for Sears and retired in 1976. She was very active in the Decatur community as she was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church, a Charter Member of the Decatur Yacht Club, she served on the YWCA board, volunteered 3,200 hours for St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, she served as chaperone for young women on the 1984 U.S. Olympic swim team to Los Angeles, she was a past president of PTA, and she was also volunteer of the American Red Cross.
Natalie leaves behind to cherish her memories her sons Bob Buckles, Jr. of Phoenix, AZ, and Bill Buckles of Lorain, Ohio; a granddaughter Ruth (husband ' Steven) Young of Decatur, a grandson Bob (wife ' Susan) Buckles III of Plainfield, IL; her three great grandchildren Heidi Ellis, Drew Buckles, and Audrey Buckles; her former daughter-in-law Norma Fathauer of Decatur; a sister-in-law Beverly Ricci of Chico, CA and several nieces and nephews.
She will be reunited in heaven with her husband Bob, her parents Amilcare and Julia, her brothers Primo Ricci and Rev. Louie Ricci and her sister Minnie Fedrigon.
Natalie's family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the staff at Heritage Manor in Mt. Zion for their care with a special thank you to Jamie Ueleke.
Natalie will be sadly missed by her family and a host of special friends.
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