Hermenia “Tootie” (Taapken) Masten

Hermenia “Tootie” (Taapken) Masten, 83, passed from this life into eternity Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at Memorial Hospital, Springfield. She enjoyed life every day and will be missed by her children, grandchildren, great granddaughter, brother and sister, nieces and nephews, and her companion Andy Jones. Tootie was a wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. She was a homemaker, not a housewife. Tootie took loving care of her family and friends for decades. When the occasion called for it, she worked outside the home, helping with the farm work, baking pies for Koffee Korner’s restaurant, cleaned homes, provided a warm, welcoming home when she provided in-home babysitting for people who became like family. Tootie also served on the Petersburg City Council for a number of years. She was born to George and Ethel (Pritchett) Taapken on January 19, 1935. Tootie received her nickname because her siblings had a hard time pronouncing Hermenia. Her parents are waiting on the other side to greet her when she comes home. On May 14, 1953, she married Paul Masten, Sr. at a small home ceremony. Paul preceded her in death as well as their son, Paul Jr., granddaughter Amy Sisson, two brothers Bill and Jim Taapken, and half-sister Esther Louise. Tootie is survived by her daughters Cathy of Springfield and Linda (Jeff) Sisson of Havana; grandson Nate (Amy) Sisson and great granddaughter Lilly of Geneseo; granddaughter Becky of Lewistown; sister Julia Kissick of Athens; and one brother Jake (Ruthanne) Taapken of Chatham. Several nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and great nephews also live on with fond memories of Aunt Toot! Visitation is Sunday, October 14, at Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service is Monday, October 15 at 10 a.m., also at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the family to be used for final expenses. Condolences can be left and memories shared online at www.hurleyfh.com. Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg is assisting the family with arrangements.