Emily M. Rather Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Emily M. Rather of Bunker Hill, Illinois, who passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 97, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Emily M. Rather to pay them a last tribute.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Fred Dieckmann and Emma Dieckmann; her husband Lawrence H. Rather; her grandsons, Adam and Brian; her son-in-law Wayne Howe; and her siblings, Hilda Renken, Walter Dieckmann and Harold Dieckmann.
She is survived by: her children, Terry Rather (Gena) of Shipman, IL, Donna Howe of Montclair, CA and Dale Rather (Patti) of Bunker Hill, IL; and her grandchildren, Jerad Rather (Jacqueline), Jaime Hilyard, Joseph Rather (Jami), Alexander Rather (Andrea), Kyle Rather, Megan Howe and Maddie Howe. She is also survived by 15 great grandchildren.
Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church Ladies of Bunker Hill or Bunker Hill Library.
