Harlene Carol Wiseman Childress, 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 9, 2020, after a long battle with Parkinson's. Harlene was born January 17, 1938 to Hartley and Mignon Kotter Wiseman, the fourth child of seven. She grew up on her family's dairy farm in Massac County until she married. Harlene graduated from Metropolis High School in 1953 and attended Southern Illinois University, later transferring to Northern Illinois University where she graduated in 1967 and earned her Master's Degree in the 70's.

Harlene was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Nonaley Wiseman Reynolds and Marilyn Moore Collins; three brothers, Bob, Warren and Lindel Wiseman; and a very special friend, Lon Winkle.

Surviving are her children, Eugene (Gena) Childress of Belknap, Darrell Childress of Metropolis, Kendra (Jerry G) Corzine of Belknap and James (Judie) Childress of Sugar Grove, IL; three honorary children, Letha Fritsch McDonough of Menomonie, WI, Jewel Winkle McNary of Aurora, IL and Bruce Winkle of Gurnee, IL; 9 grandchildren, Jeremy (Jill) Childress of Albany, OR, Dustin (Amanda) Childress of York, PA, Sheila (Robert) Hines of Virginia Beach, VA, Christian Childress of Metropolis, Ashley (Kip) Wilson of Buncombe, Brooke (Hunter) Pasquelli of Goreville, Carley Childress of Vienna, Jacob Childress and Joshua Childress both of Sugar Grove; 7 great grandchildren, Leah, Charis, and Everly Childress of Albany, OR, Dexter and Axel Childress of York, PA, Colton Ray of Virginia Beach, VA, and Jacqueline Wilson of Buncombe; brother, Kenneth (Janice) Wiseman; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and friends that love her and will miss her.

Mrs. Childress was a Home Economics teacher at Batavia High School from her time as a Student Teacher until her retirement after 33 years. She taught cooking, sewing, tailoring, family living, child development and housing. In more than one case, she taught children of which she had taught their parents as well. Harlene also taught adult night classes for Waubonsee Community College. She began Tole Painting and picked it up so quickly that she stated teaching it as well as painting and traveling around to art and craft shows from Illinois to Main and Tennessee.

Mrs. Childress loved to travel. Besides traveling all along the East Coast and North through Canada to the East Coast, Harlene was asked to travel with a group of teachers to Russia and China. She was about to visit Greece, Germany, Hong Kong and also took a ship through the Panama Canal to Mexico. She was blessed to be able to experience many cultures and sites.

Harlene loved her children and grandchildren and supported them in all their endeavors. She can finally rest in the arms of her sweet Jesus and He carries her into the Gates of Heaven.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, December 12, 2020 in Metropolis Memorial Gardens. Those attending the service are reminded that customarily accepted social distancing guidelines are to be observed. The wearing of a face mask or covering are strongly encouraged.

Condolences may be left online at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.