Erma Dell Dananay, age 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at La Bella of Edwardsville in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Pagel Funeral Home, St. Elmo, Illinois, with visitation one hour prior to start of service. Interment will take place in the Springhill Cemetery. PeeWee Denton will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Franklin County Illinois Animal Control or donor’s choice.

Erma was born July 21, 1940, in Louden Township, Illinois, the daughter of Jack Blurton and Mary S. Tish Blurton. She married Frederick Otto Dananay on July 4, 1984, and he preceded in her death on September 3, 2004. Erma graduated from Lakeview College in Danville with a nursing degree. She served as Treasurer of the Orient City Council for more than a decade. She was a lover of all animals but had a special place in her heart for cats. She was an avid reader, finishing hundreds of books during her lifetime.

She is survived by her nephew, Matthew (Jennifer Blythe) Monk of Mitchell, Illinois; her niece, Mary (Paul) Schefft of Glen Carbon, Illinois, sister, Lola Jean Blurton of Killeen, Texas; and numerous other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick; her parents, Jack and Mary; brother, Delbert Blurton; sisters, Lois Elliott and Mary Monk.