Freda (Barnett) Wathen

Lillie Freda Wathen, 91, formerly of Marion and Equality, died peacefully at her daughter’s home on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in Chesterfield, Mo.  She was born in Equality on October 25, 1924, she was the daughter of William Andrew and Lillie Ann (Compton) Barnett.  Freda married Robert “Bob” Wathen on June 12, 1944 and he preceded her in death on October 15, 2010.  She was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for forty-five years and retired as the Equality Postmaster in 1989.  She was also a honorary member of the Equality Tuesday Club.  Freda is survived by two sons, Stephen and Alice Wathen of O’Fallon, Ill.; J.L. and Sue Wathen of Evansville, Ind.; three daughters, Marilyn and Jim Raben of Ridgway, Elizabeth and Carl Wargel of Chesterfield, Mo., Susan and Bill Kilgore of Dallas, Tex.; fourteen grandchildren, Shelley Person, Erin Wathen, Gabriel and Akiko Wathen; Matt and Sarah Raben, Joe and Kasey Raben, Christina and Jeff Scates, Jordan Raben; Lindsay and Matt Browne, Abby and Chris Smith, Brian and Jamie Wathen, Adam and Jennifer Wathen, Andrew and Megan Wathen; Stuart, Spencer, and Emma Kilgore; twenty great grandchildren; two sisters, Louise and Jim White of Marion and Virginia Barnett, also of Marion.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Freeman Barnett and Lynn (Barney) Barnett, and a granddaughter, Sarah Wathen.  Visitation for Freda will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 9 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.  at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Equality.  Funeral service will be held that day at 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Equality with Father Steven Beatty officiating.  Burial will be at the St. Joseph Cemetery near Equality.   In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Joseph Cemetery, Equality United Methodist Church, or the BJC Hospice Foundation (PO Box 957421 St. Louis. MO 63195-7421).