Elvina Marie Bollinger

Mrs. Elvina Marie Bollinger, 97, of Manila, passed from this life Wednesday Oct. 2, 2013, at her home. Born in Modoc, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Albert and Caroline Burgett Donner and had lived most of her life in Manila. She was the widow of Mr. Melvin Lacy Bollinger, was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blytheville, and was an honorary member of the First United Methodist Church in Manila.

Mrs. Bollinger was very active in her community, having served as Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and she was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Home Demonstration Club, the United Methodist Women, and the Business and Professional Women's Club of Manila.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by six brothers, Francis, Leo, Henry, Joseph, Raymond and John; five sisters, Clara, Loretta, Margaret, Marie and Rozella; and two great-granddaughters, Anna and Laura Bollinger.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Betty Bollinger of Advance, Mo.;

Her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and John Ellis of Diamondhead, Miss.;

A brother and sister-in-law, Otto and Elsie Donner of Manila;

A sister, Lillian Fowler of Jonesboro (and her late husband, Harold "Bud" Fowler);

Four grandchildren, John David Bollinger, Brittany Marie Miller, Heather Renae Shah and Jonna Lynn Ellis;

Six great-grandchildren, William Lacy Ellis, Sydney Marie Miller, Christopher Davis Miller, Elizabeth Marie Bollinger, Boyd Michael Bollinger and David Edward Bollinger; and

A host of nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends to mourn her passing.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blytheville with Father Felix Chirapurathel officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila. Pallbearers will be Gary Holmes, Jim Ellis, Allen Donner, Mike Adams, Tommy Fowler, Tommy Towles, Don Gentry and Gary Hamilton.

The family will receive friends Friday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel with Rosary to begin at 5 p.m. and visitation to follow from 6-8 p.m. The family prefers any memorials be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blytheville, The United Methodist Women of Manila, the Manila Depot Museum Fund, or St. Francis Xavier School in Sikeston, Mo. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com