The Lord needed new curtains so He called Alice Iona Conkey Reiser, age 96, home. She faithfully and peacefully ended her earthly life journey at 11:15 pm Wednesday, February 28, 2024, with family at her side, at Concordia Village Spring Hill Care Center in Springfield, IL.

Alice was born November 15, 1927, in Petersburg, IL, to Roy and Nellie (Marcussen) Conkey. She was the oldest living descendant of Jens and Josephine (Hickey) Marcussen and Joseph and Nellie (O'Keefe) Conkey.

Alice attended Coddington and Circleville Country Grade Schools. She attended Tallula High School where she won awards in Home Economics and Dramatic Speaking. In 1945, she graduated from Ashland High School where she excelled in Business and Home Ec classes.

She was awarded the DAR Citizenship medal and a full scholarship to any Illinois State College.

She declined the Scholarship to get married. On Dec. 29, 1945, she was married to John Reiser, Jr of rural Ashland, at the St. Augustine Catholic Church, in Ashland. Alice and John moved to a farm South of Ashland where they raised Cattle, Hogs, Corn, Soybeans, and Four Children.

In 1959, the Reiser family moved to the Beggs estate on the West edge of Ashland, which they had purchased. They lived there for 57 years before entering Assisted Living at Centennial Point in Springfield.

Alice was offered several State government jobs, but she wanted to stay in Ashland so she could be close to the kids. She worked for Drs. Uhland and Huston at the Veterinary Clinic for 12 years. She also worked for Pete Bast at the Ashland Sentinel and was appointed Ashland Village Clerk with Mayor Evans, Roth, and Gregory. She was the first woman to be ELECTED to the Village Board. She served one term before being hired as Full Term Village Clerk. After 31 years of working, she retired in 1993.

After retiring, Alice wrote a children's book, poetry, and fictional stories. She was an accomplished seamstress who made clothes for her family and curtains and aprons for friends and neighbors (whether they wanted them or not). After moving to Assisted Living she made bibs for many of the residents. She loved Butterflies and adorned her surroundings with their likenesses. She enjoyed her Ladies Round Table dining at the Inns of Hollybrook, in her signature array of Hats.

Alice was generous, friendly, and liked to laugh. In addition to Butterflies, She enjoyed collecting shoes, hats, and books. She could be seen watching old Western movies, Jeopardy, and the St. Louis Cardinals (painfully this past season!) She listened to Country Western Music, especially Tom T. Hall.

Alice was a member of the Ashland Junior Womens' Club; St. Augustine Church and Altar Society; served 12 years on the John Cheetham Library Board; was a member of the Lady Land Owners; served on the ACHS Alumni Board as Secretary, and was Correspondent for the Ashland Bi-Centennial Committee 1975-1976.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four sisters, (and brothers-in law) Ruth (Harold) Clasing, Marjorie (Bob Thompson and Bud) Dannenberger, Mary (Joy) Adams, Patricia (Frank) Cline; three brothers, Ray (Norma Jean dec), John (Marilyn dec), and Bob (Diane, div). She also lost her oldest son, John aka Jack (LouAnn); grandson, Mark Reiser (Natalie), great-granddaughter, Meritt McDaniel, and several nieces and nephews.

Alice is survived by three children, Jill (Jim) Coy of Pleasant Plains, Judith Reiser of Springfield, and James of Ashland. Alice is also survived by, Jill and Jim's family—Alice's granddaughter Sarah Coy, and great grandson, Aden Sachs, all of St. Louis, MO; Jack and LouAnn's family—Alice's granddaughter Michelle (Bruce) Motto, and great-grandchildren, Bryan Reiser, Michael, James, and Kayla Motto, all of Terra Haute, IN; granddaughter, Marsha (Philip) McNulty; great granddaughter, Caitlin Reiser, and great-great grandchildren, Kenna and Zack Mancha; great granddaughter, Samantha Blakely and great-great granddaughter, Lindsay Blakely; step granddaughter, Amber Large, and great grandchildren Aubrianna and Alex Jefferson; all of San Antonio, TX;Judy's Family—Alice's granddaughter Cheryl (Brad) Hermes, Springfield, IL; great granddaughter Brianna (Evan) Wisely and great-great grandson, Zane, Good Hope, IL; great granddaughter, Ashton Dyche and great-great granddaughter, Aniya, Springfield, IL; great grandson, Ryder (Haley Nelson) Dyche and great-great granddaughter, Rynnley, Springfield, IL.Jim's Family—Alice's grandson Clayton (Dani) and great grandson, Shepard, Nolensville, TN; granddaughter, Ainsley (Kip) McDaniel and great grandson, Everett, Monticello, IL.

Thanks to Teams at Concordia Village's Summer Breese and Spring Hill Care Centers for their loving care of Mom. To her friends and family she wanted to leave a fervent wish…MAY YOUR LIVES BE FILLED WITH BUTTERFLIES AND RAINBOWS.

A funeral Mass will be held 11:00 AM Monday, March 4, 2024, at St. Augustine Church in Ashland, with burial in St. Augustine Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 10:00 - 11:00 AM prior to the service. Memorial gifts are suggested to St. Augustine Church or Prairie Skies Public Library District. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at buchanancody.com.