Lydia C. Maillefer, age 81, a resident of Huntley, IL, and formerly of Wheaton, died Tuesday, June 10, at the Rosewood Care Center of Elgin, after suffering a lengthy battle with both rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's disease. She was born June 8, 1927 in Chicago, IL.

Lydia served for 46 years as a missionary teacher with the Overseas Missions of the Evangelical Free Church of America in the Congo, Kenya, and Belgium. She earned her Master's Degree in French at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and spoke five different languages. She was gifted in music, starting numerous African choirs, producing several Christian children's musicals in Kenya. She also translated hymns in the Lingala language.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Eric; three children, Nancy of Georgetown, KY, Renee (Ted) Reihmer, also of Georgetown, KY, and Roger (Terese) of Sycamore, IL; eleven grandchildren; and her brother, Chris (Marjorie) Wire of Bull Shoals, AR.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Christian and Louise Wire.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 12, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 13, at 10:00 A.M. at the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church, 520 E. Roosevelt Road, in Wheaton. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Fox Valley Church, 37W073 Huntley Road, West Dundee, IL 60118.