Sue Ann (Nattier) Friend, 82, of Belle Rive, IL passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Deaconess Illinois Crossroads Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. Sue was born on October 12, 1943, the daughter of Dale & Annabelle (Newman) Nattier. On February 14, 1975, she married Dale Friend, who survives.
Sue was a Physical Education and English teacher, who taught all grades Kindergarten through 12th grade. After teaching, she worked as an Activity Therapist at the Murray Center in Centralia, IL. She loved playing cards and played regularly in a Pinochle club. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and was previously a St. Louis Cardinals football team fan before the team moved to another city. She also loved playing family card games, building jigsaw puzzles, and going to antique auctions.
Sue was a gifted athlete when she attended SIU-C University at Carbondale and was the first female athlete at SIU-C to letter in 5 different sports. She played volleyball, field hockey, fencing, basketball (where she was played rover position), softball, and golf. She continued to play golf and softball after college. She also officiated volleyball and basketball games. She was a member of the Opdyke Missionary Baptist Church in Opdyke, IL.
Sue is survived by her husband Dale Friend, 2 daughters: Valerie Powell (and significant other Chris Brown) and Joni Brookshire (and husband Rick), 5 grandchildren: Chris Powell (and wife Emily), Jordan Powell (and wife Makenzie), Jake Brookshire (and wife Danielle), Austen Ohley, and South Brookshire; 8 great-grandchildren: Jordyn, Lucas, Owen, Aubryn, Bryer, Deacon, Vada, and Addi; 2 sisters: Jane Adams (and husband Dick), and Janet Thalman; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dale & Annabelle Nattier, great grandson Logan Brookshire, father-in-law & mother-in-law Dave & Minnie Friend, and brother-in-law Charles Dean Thalman.
Funeral services for Sue Ann (Nattier) Friend will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Opdyke Baptist Church with Rev. Richard McCormick and Pastor Shawn Scott officiating. A private family viewing will be held prior to opening the doors to public visitation, which will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the church. Interment will follow the funeral service at Flint-Belle Rive Cemetery in Belle Rive IL.
Those attending are encouraged to wear St. Louis Cardinals baseball clothing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Sue’s memory may be made to the Opdyke Missionary Baptist Church, or to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation (write “Cancer Research” on memo line) and will be accepted at the services at the church, or at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro, IL.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com
