Anna J. Birens

Anna J. Biren, age 105, of Hanover, Illinois, died Friday, March 9, 2007 at the Elizabeth Nursing Home in Elizabeth, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at the United Presbyterian Church in Hanover, Illinois. Reverend Kendrick Matthews will officiate. Burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at the church. The family has requested that memorials be made to the United Presbyterian Church in Anna’s memory.

Anna was born April 20, 1901 in Booneville County, Missouri, the daughter of Alfred and Alice (Piatt) Hatfield. Anna married Hobart Williams on April 17, 1917, he passed away on October 10, 1953. She was later married to Edward Biren on May 17, 1964, Edward died on October 30, 1976. Anna worked for the Hanover Woolen Mill as a Weaver and Seamstress. She also worked at Don’s Tap as a Fry Cook and Bar Tender. She was a longtime member of the United Presbyterian Church in Hanover. She was also a member of the Ladies Circle at church. Anna enjoyed Sewing and Crocheting. Most of all Anna loved to spend time with her family.

Anna will be missed by her daughter Elsie Ruth Campbell of Hanover, Illinois; one granddaughter Bev Shaw (William Jones) of Moline, Illinois; four grandsons, Joe (Linda) Reifsteck of Sterling, Illinois, Jerry (Evelyn) Reifsteck of Freeport, Illinois, John (Marcia) Reifsteck of Sterling, and Joel Allan (Molly) Reifsteck of Freeport; sixteen great-grandchildren; nineteen great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, Hobart and Edward; one son, Phillip Williams and two daughters, Dorothy Reifsteck and Beverly Williams; one granddaughter, Jean Murphy; two sisters and four brothers.