Ethel Tarter-Pirtle, 73, of Urbana, passed away at 8:05 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. A reception will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. A memorial service at 10:00 a.m. will be held at the funeral home immediately following the reception. Family member and pastor, Dennis Anglin, will be officiating the service.

Ms. Pirtle was born March 22, 1944 in Champaign, Illinois to parents Robert and Mollie (Johnson) Price. Three children survive: Melinda Palmisano (Steve), of Fithian, Michael Cinker (Alp), of Cleveland, Ohio, and Denise Mangold (Scott), of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ethel is also survived by five siblings: Ralph Tarter, of Urbana, Sue Larson, of Champaign, Vicki Rinehart, of Champaign, Shirley Cronback, of Sacramento, California, and Betty Molenhour, of Rantoul. Ethel's ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive. Ethel was preceded in death by one son, George Anglin (d. 1991), her parents, seven brothers, four sisters, and her ex-husband and friend, Newton Pirtle.

Ms. Pirtle was a long-time member of Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. She attended regularly, until her health began to decline. When Ethel was 45 years old, she suffered an aneurism which left her unable to walk. Despite the obstacles she faced, she remained a strong, independent woman who persevered. She enjoyed dancing, laughing, and gambling (especially at "the boat" in Peoria). Ethel's main joy in life was her family, whom she loved fiercely.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, 600 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana, or to Carle Hospice Foundation at https://carle.org/give/donate. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.