Greenville - Velma M. Wade, age 95 of Greenville, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Greenville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Greenville, Illinois.

Mrs. Wade was born in Carlyle, Illinois, on October 31, 1930, a daughter of the late Claude and Mae (Orrell) Gambill. She married Lyle Burnell Wade on June 2, 1948, in Carlyle, and together they celebrated 76 years of happiness.

Through this union, Mrs. Wade was blessed with two daughters, Diane Connery of Greenville, and Linda Zitkus and husband Mike of Sycamore, IL; her loving grandchildren, Michael L. Zitkus and wife Reneé of Elburn, IL, Jennifer Carlson and husband Erik of Big Rock, IL, Jim Zitkus and wife Ellen of Batavia, IL, Leanne Newman and husband Joe of Crane, MO, and B.J. Connery of Greenville; her great-grandchildren, Michael Zitkus, Taylor Risch, Kyle Zitkus, Erika Lubbers, Wade Carlson, Kaitlyn Carlson, Jimmy, Mili, Emma, Seamus, and Delaney Zitkus, Darrin Rathburn, Conner Shafer, Ashlyn Shafer, and Gabby Connery; and her great-great-grandchildren, Indiana and Isabelle Lubbers, Karter and Charolette Carlson, K.C. Zitkus, Viola Shafer, and Sophia Renee Risch. Velma is also survived by two sisters, Betty Elliott and Karen Segelken and husband Larry.

Velma was welcomed into heaven by her husband, Lyle B. Wade on April 21, 2025, her parents, Claude and Mae Gambill, a brother, Dean Gambill and his wife Gloria, and a brother-in-law, John D. Elliott.

Velma loved being in the presence of God and found great comfort and joy in her church home at Wisetown Baptist Church. She worked diligently in clerical positions at several local businesses and spent 22 years working side by side with her husband at Country Club Cleaners in Joliet. Above all else, Velma was devoted to her family. A loving mother, grandma, and great-grandma, she gave endlessly of herself—opening her home, caring for children while parents worked, and making sure everyone felt safe, loved, and looked after.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Wisetown Baptist Church, 173 Wisetown Road, Greenville, IL 62246, with Rev. Thomas Rankin, officiating. Interment will follow at McKendree Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held at church on Saturday morning from 9:30 - 11:00 AM.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Wade are suggested to the Wisetown Baptist Church, Bond County Hospice, or to Duncan Cemetery and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.