Della C. Ekwall, age 61, a resident of West Chicago, IL, died Thursday, April 14, 2016, at home. She was born June 16, 1954 in Logan, WV.

She was raised in Man, WV. She grew up in the church, playing the piano for churches in the area as a young girl while her father preached. She received her bachelors and masters degrees in music at Marshall University. During her college years, her commitment to the Lord became stronger through the Campus Crusade ministry.

She was a music educator for over 40 years. She also served as choir director in churches in Barboursville, WV and Itasca, IL. She taught music at Medinah Christian School from 1989 to 2003. Following that, she continued to teach private piano and voice from her home until 2015.

She and Glenn married in 1979, traveled the world for his job, and returned to West Virginia, where they had their first child, Justin, in 1981. They settled in the Chicagoland area in 1982. Their second child, Ashley was born in 1984. Della was a devoted wife, mother, and most recently, Grammy. Della had a great love for the Lord, her family, all children, and music.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Glenn Ekwall of West Chicago, IL; her son, Justin (Michelle) of Sheridan, MT; her daughter, Ashley (Morgan) of West Chicago, IL; her grandson, Theodore Ekwall; and her granddaughter, Piper Regnas. She is also survived by her parents, Frank and Lyla Copley, of Man, WV.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Jonathan Copley.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 2:30 p.m. until the start of a funeral service to be held at 5:30 p.m. at Medinah Baptist Church, 900 Foster Ave, Medinah, IL 60157. Interment will be private at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund , 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1710, New York, NY 10122 , http://www.ocrf.org .