Frances Loretta Meneley, 94, of Apollo Beach, FL and formerly of Pesotum, IL, peacefully went to be with her lord on May 18. She was born Nov 13, 1922 in Lyons, IN to Robert and Eva Downs.
She spent her childhood in Central IL where she married Marlowe Lee Meneley in 1941. She was an active member of the Pesotum United Methodist Church and worked as office manager alongside her husband and sons in Meneley Construction Co, the family business. Known to her grandchildren as "Gram", she spent many hours sitting on the bleachers at their sporting events. Following Marlowe's death in 1980 Loretta wintered in Apollo Beach, FL where she enjoyed family, friends, and traveling. She continued her Christian walk at Big Bend United Methodist Church upon becoming a full time Florida resident in 2000.
She is survived by her children Gary Meneley, Riverview, FL, Marla (Joe) Figard, Charlotte, N.C., and "Fuzz" (Sandy) Meneley, Holmes Beach, FL. Her loving ways will be missed by her 9 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Loretta is survived by two sisters, Rosella (Bill) Ray, Pat (Fred) Smith, and sister-in-law Dorothy (Kenneth) Downs. She was preceded in death by her husband Marlowe Meneley, lovingly nicknamed "Bango" by his grandchildren. Also preceding her in death were brothers Gene and Kenneth Downs , sister-in-law Kathyrn Downs, daughter-in-law Sharon Meneley Crabb, and granddaughter Kami Jo Meneley.
A celebration of life will be held at the Pesotum United Methodist Church on June 17 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pesotum United Methodist Church or South Shore United Methodist Church, Riverview