Nysabea Veach

Nysabea Veach of Vienna, Illinois died at her home on January 11, 2015. Nysabea, the first child of James Clint and Lella (Verhines) Taylor, was born in the Lightner Hospital in Harrisburg, Illinois October 23, 1921. She attended the Vienna Public Schools. In 1939, she, and her-by-then constant companion James Veach, graduated with the Vienna High School Class of 1939. In the Fall of 1939, Nysabea and James enrolled in what is now Southern Illinois University (SIU). The following year they married. Two years later, while James served in the U. S. Air Corps during WW II, Nysabea began teaching in one-room schools in Johnson County (Murrie and Ridenhower schools). After the war, Nysabea and James lived in Chicago while James attended Northern Illinois College of Optometry and Nysabea brought son James David and daughter Barbara Ann into the world. In 1949, Nysabea, and by-then Dr. James F. Veach, returned to Vienna where James practiced optometry and Nysabea resumed teaching. In the 1960s, Nysabea continued teaching, but also returned to SIU to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She eventually taught for thirty-seven years, twenty-nine of which were spent at the Vienna Grade School. Nysabea positively touched the lives of many students through the years. In 1979, shortly before retiring from teaching, Nysabea convinced James to buy a large pre-Civil War house built by Colonel Samuel Hess. Nysabea oversaw every detail of the house's restoration. James died in the restored Hess house in 2005. Nysabea remained active in the First United Methodist Church and other civic efforts. At the time of her death, she was the recording secretary for the Vienna City Zoning Board and a board member of the Vienna Carnegie Library. Nysabea was an accomplished musician, playing the violin, accordion, piano and organ. She enjoyed playing bridge with her many friends, traveling with Jim and lovingly maintaining her home during her retirement years. Those who knew Nysabea admired her determination, work ethic, stated opinions and conservative values. Nysabea is survived by her children Barbara (Larry) Mizell of Vienna and James (Deborah) of Teaneck, NJ; her grandchildren Megan (Nathan) Blaylock of Greenville, NC, Margo (Charlie) Keene of Clarksville, TN, and Zachary Veach of New Haven, CT; and her great-grandchildren - Maggie, Millie, and Zell Keene. In addition to her parents and husband, Nysabea was preceded in death by her brother, J. Clinton Taylor, and her sisters Esta Jean Mott and Rhodene Hosick. Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon, January 17, 2015, at 3 PM at the Vienna First United Methodist Church. Interment were in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Visitation were held from 1 PM – 3 PM Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the Vienna First United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to the Vienna First United Methodist Church (Choir or Educational Fund), P.O. Box 1349, Vienna, Illinois 62995. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Nysabea Veach

October 23, 1921 - January 11, 2015