Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Madge Adams

Verla Madge Adams, 89, of Marengo, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008 at Florence Nursing Home in Marengo.

She was born April 9, 1919 in Unionville, Mo. to Creston and May (Camp) Olinger.At age 7, she performed with her father on the Vaudeville stage as Cyclone Madge singing and dancing.In 1938 she married William Blaine Adams in Pollock, Mo. That same year, they moved to a large ranch near Pueblo, Colo. where her husband was a ranch manager. Madge received her teaching degree from Kirksville Teachers College in 1938. They later moved to Caruthersville, Mo. where Blaine was a farm manager for Doan’s Agriculture for two years.


They moved to Illinois where they lived at various farms in Central Illinois until returning to the original farm around 1980. Madge and Blaine Adams lived a mile north of Wapella on the west side of RT 51 for many years, where Blaine was recognized as a great gentleman and wrestling legend, having grappled at the college level for the Fighting Illini.

Madge was an elementary school teacher for a year, a short story author, an advertisement copywriter for 20 years at Biddle Company in Bloomington and eventually started Adams Advertising Services where she wrote local advertisements for many years. She was an avid bridge player, loved to travel and was active in the local community. She was a member of the Marengo Women’s Club and Marengo United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her son, William B. (Patricia) Adams Jr.; two grandsons, Scott J. (Lori) Adams of Marengo and Mark Jeffrey (Kathy Schnetz) Adams of Barrington; and three great grandchildren: William Blaine Adams, Katherine A. Adams and Elizabeth L. Adams.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Blaine in 1987 and her sister Gloria Olinger Rew.

Visitation will be held at Calvert Funeral Home 201 S. Center St. Clinton, Ill. on Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 from 1 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2 p.m. Please omit flowers. Memorials in her name may be made to the M.O.R.E. Center P.O. Box 32 Marengo, IL 60152 or the Marengo United Methodist Church 119 E. Washington Street Marengo, Ill. 60152.