AURELIA PAULINE "POLLY" LITTON, 83, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away at 1:21 am, Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Red Bud Regional Hospital, Red Bud, Illinois. She was born to the late Russell and Valeria (nee Dombrowski) Wilderman on January 25, 1931 in Lenzburg, Illinois. As early as she could remember, she had a love of music and knew that all she ever wanted to be was a musician. She taught herself how to play the accordion and played every song by ear, never knowing how to read music. Beginning in the 1940's, she was a featured entertainer with band leader, Johnny Rion and Herb Kist and the Ozarkians at Hillbilly Park in Okawville, Illinois. She graced the stage with such acts as Curly Joe & Paula, Myron Floren of Lawrence Welk fame, and Grand Ole Opry stars Little Jimmy Dickens and Lonzo & Oscar. She was a regular musician on radio stations KSGM in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri and WIBV in Belleville, Illinois. It was at WIBV she was given the name of "Polly". Station executives decided she needed to change her name stating no one could spell or pronounce Aurelia and her middle name was too long. It was during her musical collaboration with Lonzo & Oscar, she was invited to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. She turned down the offer to continue working at the International Shoe Company in New Athens, Illinois to help support the family farm. In the fall of 1955, she was scheduled to perform at the Missouri Theatre in St. Joe, Missouri with an up and coming performer from the Louisiana Hayride by the name of Elvis Presley. Due to overbooking of acts by her band leader, she was moved to the next week's performance. She always said, "I missed meeting Elvis by one week." She married Logan Alexander "Jack" Litton on July 3, 1954 in Marissa, Illinois; he preceded her in death on December 26, 1999. Polly worked at the International Shoe Company at both New Athens and Evansville and Snyder General in Red Bud, while continuing to play local musical venues the remainder of her life. She was a simple country girl of great beauty and talent, but completely selfless to everyone she met. She was a wonderful homemaker and cook. A born animal lover, she cared for countless pets and homeless animals throughout her lifetime. She was a member of the International Musicians Union and Red Regional Hospital Senior Circle. She was a member of the Baldwin Presbyterian Church. Survivors: 4 Children Randall (Vira) Litton New Athens, IL Kelly Litton Red Bud, IL Julie (Chris) Hudson Sparta, IL Janis (Jeff) Biethman Red Bud, IL 10 Grandchildren Joshua (Marcela) Litton, Crystal Litton, Adrian and Alberto Hernandez, Lisa Champ, Chad Litton, Jeffrey (Jordan) Litton, Trevor Hudson, Tyler (Andrea) Biethman and Olivia Biethman 4 Great-Grandchildren Randal-Jack and Lucas Litton, Violet and Chloe Biethman 2 Brothers Frank (Carol) Spitz Godfrey, IL Fred (Judy) Spitz Belleville, IL 1 Aunt Julia Fritz Red Bud, IL Sister-in-law Marcella Alesaski O'Fallon, IL Former Daughter-in-law Pam Fraim and Shelia Litton Special Friends Melanie Winters and Jeri Runge 4 Granddogs Meathead, Buddy, Baxter and Lucy Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends Preceded in death by Parents, Husband - Jack Litton, 3 Brothers - Anthony Alesaski, Wilbert (Ruby) Wilderman, and Milton (Dorothy) Wilderman; 1 Sister-in-law - Marcella Spitz and 1 Nephew - James Alesaski Funeral Service: 10:00 am, Thursday, September 4, 2014 Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud, Illinois Officiating: Father Clyde Grogan Interment: Marissa City Cemetery Marissa, Illinois Visitation: Wednesday - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday - 8:00 am - 10:00 am Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud, Illinois Memorials: Randolph County Humane Society Red Bud Regional Hospital - Med Surg & Dietary Department
