Theresa K. Lanahan, 88, of Troy, Ill., born Nov. 24, 1928 in Granite City, Ill., died Jan. 17, 2017 at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, Ill.

Theresa loved her Catholic faith and was a member St. Jerome's Catholic Church in Troy. She was known for her amazing pies donated for church bake sales and served at many funeral dinners.  She graduated from Granite City High School.

Theresa and her husband purchased land in Troy and owned Lanahan Construction Company and worked together building many homes in and around Troy. Theresa served as the bookkeeper for their business and was a homemaker.  She loved to sew (especially for her grandchildren), crafting with her sisters, traveling with her family, and was a long time member of Sweet Adelines. She was a Brownie co-leader when her girls were little, was on a bowling team, and served as a judge of elections for years.  After retirement she spent many winters in Texas and enjoyed being a "snowbird" with her husband. She took great joy in raising her children and spoiling her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary, nee Kietten, Decker Sr.; a daughter, Mary and siblings, Joseph Decker Jr., Bertha Meyers, Margaret Decker and Fritz Decker.

Theresa is survived by her husband, Gerald J. Lanahan of Troy, Ill., whom she married on June 24, 1950, in Collinsville, Ill.; sister, Rose Bardsley and her family; children, Gerald Joseph "Joe" and Susan (Meyer) Lanahan Jr. of Troy, Ill., Kenneth and Debra (Thomas) Lanahan of Gulfport Miss., Cynthia Lanahan-Perkins of Troy, Ill., Nancy (Bobby) Douglas of Troy, Ill. and James Lanahan of Troy, Ill.; grandchildren, Joshua Lanahan, Janell Lanahan, Justin Lanahan, Matthew Lanahan, Kari Zavaglia, Jennifer Flores, Elizabeth Jester, Kimberly Douglas, Joshua Douglas, Laura Douglas, Jesse Lanahan and Nikki Lanahan; 14 great-grandchildren and many friends.

Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital St. Louis, Vitas Hospice or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com

Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 and 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, Ill.

Services 10 a.m. Friday Jan. 20, 2017 at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, Ill., with Fr. Joseph Havrilka and Fr. Paul Habing officiating. Interment in Sunset Hills Cemetery, Glen Carbon, Ill.

RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, Troy, Ill.