MT. VERNON – Marjorie Earlene Rich, 89, of Mt. Vernon, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 6:30 a.m. at Deaconess Illinois Crossroads in Mt. Vernon. She was born at home in Belle Rive on October 8, 1936, to Earl and Birdine Houseworth.
Earlene worked many jobs throughout her lifetime. She worked at the vinyl factory and the shoe factory, and she was a waitress at several area restaurants, most notably the restaurant in the Mt. Vernon Airport and at Wilkey’s Café in Belle Rive until it closed in 2018. Earlene was an avid sports fan. She loved listening to ESPN radio and watching sports on TV, especially baseball. She was a huge Chicago Cubs fan.
She is survived by sister, Linda Houseworth of Belle Rive; brother, Bradley Houseworth and wife, Donna “Miss,” of Belle Rive; two nieces: Brenna DeVore and husband, Kurtis, of Mulberry Grove, IL, and Lanie Houseworth and significant other, Josh Willis, of Centralia; great-nephew, Korbin; and great-niece, Emersyn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Judy Kay Glatz.
Funeral services for Marjorie Earlene Rich will be private. Burial will take place in Flint/Belle Rive Cemetery in Belle Rive with private services officiated by Rev. David Houseworth. The Gholson Funeral Home of Dahlgren is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences of expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com.
