MOUNT VERNON — Zola Ferne Hutchison was born February 28, 1926 in Mount Vernon, Illinois, the daughter of the late Gleason Gowler and Opal (Scott) Gowler.

Zola graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1943 and was employed at the office of Master Baking Co. from 1943 until 1953. She married Claude W. Hutchison on September 15, 1946 in Jefferson County, Illinois and they were blessed with forty-nine years of marriage until he preceded her in death on June 13, 1995.

She and Claude owned and operated Claude’s Shell Service and Claude and Wayne’s Tire and Auto Repair for thirty-nine years. Wayne Wilson was an employee/partner for twenty-six years.

Until her death, Zola was the oldest and longest member of Camp Ground Baptist Church. She was a faithful member since 1938.

She is survived by a double cousin, Marjorie A. Germann of Mount Vernon; sister-in-law, Louise Hutchison of Marion, Illinois; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many, many friends!

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her father and mother-in-law, sister-in-law, Nita Douglas and husband, Bruce, and brother-in-law, Wayne Hutchison.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 pm with Reverend Benton Fitzjerrels and Mr. Jerry Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Zola’s honor to Camp Ground Baptist Church or Shiner’s Children’s Hospital.

Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.