Ilona M. Stapleton

Ilona M. Stapleton, 76, of South Sioux City passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022 at a local hospital.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.  Visitation with the family present will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Ilona was born January 24, 1946 in Mapleton, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest and Marie (Houschilt) McNeil.  She graduated from Schleswig, Iowa.  Ilona married Raymond Day on March 2, 1972 in Sioux Falls, SD.  To this union, two children were born.  Raymond passed away on September 23, 1984 in Sioux City.  Ilona married Clifford Stapleton on September 18, 1992 in Sioux City.  He preceded her in death on July 26, 2014 in South Sioux City. 

Ilona worked as a unit secretary for Mercy One Hospital for 46 years and retired in 2012.  She enjoyed playing solitaire, social media, trips to Casino Monaco, watching football on the weekends, and her beloved cat Gizmo.  Ilona’s greatest joy was spending time with her family.

Ilona is survived by her children:  Cindy (Joe) Mares of Sioux City, Corey (Amanda) Day of Sioux City, and step-son Shane (Bobbi) Stapleton of Dakota City, NE; grandchildren:  Robert, Tiffany (Bryan), Nicole, Shania, Amber, Brandon, Brittany, Tanner, Taylor, Jessica (Tyler), Joey (Isabell); and Tori; nine great grandchildren; brother Byron McNeil on Corpus Christy, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

Ilona was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Raymond and Clifford, grandson PJ, and sister-in-law Marilyn McNeil.