PAWNEE - Julia "Catherine" Bentley Sloman, 101, of rural Pawnee, Ill., entered into eternal life Nov. 11, 2014, at Wyndcrest in Rochester, Ill. Born May 29, 1913, Catherine grew up in the Lincoln, Ill., area and graduated in 1931 as salutatorian from Lincoln Community High School. She later attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill., graduating in 1937. She married Wheeler Sloman on March 9, 1941. They owned a farm south of Pawnee where Wheeler's grandparents had settled in 1878. Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Wheeler; her parents, Denman and Maude Bentley; brother, Russell Bentley; and sisters-in-law Hazel Bentley and Beth Sloman. She is survived by three children: Maude (Duane) Higgins of Wichita, Kan., John (Rita) Sloman of Rockville, Ky., and Rachel (Wm. Perry) Broughton of Pawnee; six grandchildren: Jeff (Carole) Higgins, Wendy (Pam Anderson) Sloman, Jason (Sumar) Sloman, Rebecca (Steve) Martin, Joshua (Kelly) Broughton and Sarah (David) Shike; 12 great-grandchildren: Ryan, Mary Catherine and Samantha Higgins, Madisyn, Jaiden and Landin Sloman, Julia Waldeck, Kaleb and Connor Broughton, Davin, Reagan and Rachel Shike; and brother-in-law Ralph Sloman. As a woman of faith, Catherine was generous with her time and talents. She taught Sunday school for more than 50 years and served as moderator and on the board of deacons at Zenobia Baptist Church near Pawnee, and upon joining First Baptist Church of Virden continued in Christian service. Her memberships included Peter Meyer Chapter of NSDAR, King Unit of HCEA of Christian County, Illinois State Genealogical Society, charter member and board member of Christian County Genealogical Society, Logan County Genealogical and Historical Societies, Vachel Lindsay Society, Morrisonville Historical Society, Area II Baptist World Mission Support Committee (secretary for more than 40 years), election judge for 45 years at Bois D'Arc Township #1 in Montgomery County. Catherine had a zest for life. During their retirement, the Slomans enjoyed traveling in their motor home. Catherine loved the hand piecing and stitching of beautiful quilts she created for each of her family members. She also loved sharing her homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and banana bread. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Virden, with a memorial service to follow at 2:30 p.m. The Pastor Joseph Ferreira and Pastor John Parrish will officiate. Catherine's body has been donated to SIU School of Medicine, and she will be buried at a later date in the Morrisonville Cemetery in Morrisonville, Ill. The family is grateful for the loving care the Wyndcrest staff provided for the past six years. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to honor Catherine may be directed to First Baptist Church of Virden, 157 W. Jackson St., Virden, Ill. or the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired, c/o Brandt Thomas Educational Center, 2960 Stanton St., Springfield, IL 62703. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee, Ill., is serving the family of Catherine Sloman. Service: Sunday Nov. 16, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. First Baptist Church of Virden 157 W. Jackson St. Virden, Ill. Visitation: Sunday Nov. 16, 2014 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. First Baptist Church of Virden 157 W. Jackson St. Virden, Ill.