Ethel Mae Sly died Sunday morning September 10, 2023 from the effects of ALS. Ethel was born October 10, 1940 in Southern Illinois to Edgar and Florence Knop. After living her first 16 years in Steeleville, IL., the family moved to Decatur, IL and Ethel attended Decatur & Macon County Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1961. Most of her nursing career was at DMH on the Pediatric Unit, a part-timer working 2 to 6 nights/days a week. She became an expert in inserting PICC lines and starting IV’s, teaching PALS (pediatric Advanced Life Support) and later enjoyed being a Home Health Nurse. She often stated: “give me a kid any day, you can hold them and rock to comfort.”

Ethel and William Porter Sly eloped in 1962 producing offspring: Karen Lynette Sly Mallard (Manley), Paul Kenneth Sly (Sharon), and Jennifer Sly Smith (Scott). Grandchildren she loved were William Spencer Mallard, Marion Sly Mallard, Samuel Edgar Sly and Steven Edward Smith. Ethel had one sister, Mary Lou Davidson.

Her calling card read: daughter, wife, mother, grandma, nurse, deer hunter, gardener, motorcycle rider, seamstress, caretaker of lost and abandoned animals & DMH School of Nursing Alumni Newsletter editor, retired.

Remains will be cremated and ashes given to family.

{No Memorial Service}