Arvella M. Gendron, (nee Stokes), age 67, of Fairview Heights, Ill., born in Morehouse, Mo., passed away Saturday at Memorial Hospital, Belleville. Arvella moved to Fairview Heights from St. Louis in 1974. She worked as a bakery mixer in the pretzel line for Frito Lay Corp. in St. Louis, retiring in 1995 after 36 years. She was a member of Bakers & Confectionary Workers of America Local 4-St. Louis. She loved to play bingo with her friends several times a week. Arvella was a kind-hearted, generous woman, who was always helping others. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Mrs. Gendron was preceded in death by her parents, Arlet J. & Addie Mae (nee Ausley) Stokes; stepmother Ella Francis (nee Barber) Stokes; sister "Wanda" Louise Roustio; brother Carol D. Stokes and brother-in-law LaRue Roustio.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 48 years, Terry Gendron, whom she married June 27, 1959; son Donald (Lori) Gendron of O'Fallon; daughter Debra (William Bruce) Cornwall of Shiloh; grandsons Matthew Joseph & Andrew Jacob Gendron; granddaughter Shelby Nicole Cornwall; brothers James (Rita) Harper of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jerry (JoAnn) Stokes of St. Louis; Dwight (Mary) Stokes of O'Fallon; and Richard "Rick" (Robin) Stokes of O'Fallon; sisters Sandra (Robert) McCollumn of Doniphan, Mo.; Bernice "Bonnie" (Robert) Wagner of St. Louis; and sister-in-law Pauline Stokes

Memorial donations are suggested to American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.

Visitation: Friends may call 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 16, 2007 and after 9:00 am Thursday, May 17, 2007.

Funeral Service: 10:00 am, Thursday, May 17, 2007, with Rev. James Deiters presiding.

All services will be held at the Funeral Home.

Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.