Lillian Johanna Gobelman, nee Palmer, age 85, of O'Fallon, born March 12, 1926 in East St. Louis, Ill., the youngest sister to three brothers, passed away Thursday evening, July 28, 2011.

Mrs. Gobelman was a member of First Baptist Church O'Fallon and a former member of Shiloh First Baptist Church. She worked as a telephone operator for the phone company, retiring in the late 1970s. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed quilting, always keeping busy and on-the-go.

She was a talented artist of all media, and was an instructor and artist at the June Kelly School of Art. Her paintings and self-made Christmas cards brought joy to many of her friends and family and she produced many commissioned works of art. Her quick wit, subtle sarcasm, and charm will be missed, as she was well-liked by many.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Gene Gobelman, who died July 21, 1989; her parents, Gustav and Lillian, nee Gore, Palmer; brothers D.A. Palmer, Sr., and Fred R. Palmer.

Surviving are her children, Kevin Dale (Rene') Gobelman of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Karin Sue (Larry) Werner of Ames, Iowa, and Steven Lee (Diana) Gobelman of Springfield, Ill.; grandchildren, Sonya Gobelman of Calgary, Larry Werner, II of O'Fallon, Barret Werner of Ames, Iowa, Logan Werner of Ames, Iowa, Justin Gobelman of O'Fallon, Dakota Gobelman of Springfield, Ill., Ciara Gobelman of Springfield, Ill. and her brother Tom P. Palmer, Sr.

Memorial donations in honor of Mrs. Gobelman are requested to First Baptist Church O'Fallon or June Kelly School of Art.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, August 4, 2011 at First Baptist Church, 1111 East Highway 50, O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: 11:00 am, Friday, August 5, 2011 at First Baptist Church, O'Fallon, with Rev. Dr. Doug Munton and Rev. Skip Leininger officiatng. Burial will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.