Elsie Grissum

Elsie L. Grissum, of Union, Mo., passed away Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in St. Charles, Mo., reaching the age of 98 years. Elsie was born on June 28, 1920, in Union, Mo., the daughter of Wade Jackson and Nora Elizabeth Thoroughman but was raised by her grandmother, Mary Eva Smith and Uncle Ben. Elsie's life was full of hardship, but she rose above it to persevere. This trait she passed on to her children. When Elsie was just 10 years old, she was separated from her siblings who were sent to live in the Evangelical Home in St. Louis. One by one, Elsie retrieved her brothers and helped them find work, food and a place to live. It was this giving nature that led her to serve her church as Junior Choir Director at Zion E&R Church for 16 years and work as a caregiver until the age of 85 for local Union residents. Elsie married the love of her life, Earl Grissum Sr. on August 29, 1942, and enjoyed 41 years together until his untimely death on October 31, 1983. She was also preceded in death by her only son, Earl Grissum Jr. on March 22, 2013. Elsie is survived by her three daughters, Marilyn Grissum of Washington, Barbe Lenhard and husband Mark of O'Fallon and Roberta Grissum of St. Charles; seven grandchildren, Mica Baldwin, Kari Frank, Catherine Harnett, Beverly Barnes, Amy Schlimpert, James Ohlau and Ian Barnes; five great-grandchildren, Abby Baldwin, Andy Baldwin, Sophie Baldwin, Austin Frank and Aubrey Frank; other relatives and many friends. A memorial visitation will held be held 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Midlawn Funeral Home, Union. Memorial services will begin at 2:00 p.m. and officiated by Chaplain Greg Volpitto. In lieu of flowers, family suggests a monetary donation in memory of Elsie made payable to Truman Wallenmeyer, Treasurer of New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 10665 Ritchie Road, Prairie Home, MO 65068. Arrangements by Midlawn Funeral Home, Union.