Aileen Christine Ringling deceased.

Aileen Christina Ringling, 86 yrs, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16 , 2010, at 2:24 a.m. at her residence. She was born April 1, 1923, in Chicago, to the late Dr. Robert Rowlain Mustell and the late Myrtle Ilene Mustell, nee Gates. She married James C. Ringling April 1962 in Chicago. He preceded her in death December 3, 2004. Aileen was the fourth of seven children. She began her career with the circus in 1940 and was a aerialist and performed equestrian acts in several circuses, including Pollack Brothers, Ringling Brothers and Shrine Circus. At one point, she left the circus for a time and became a Rockette Dancer at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY. She had a passion for raising exotic animals, and in 1972, they chose to move to Fort Madison, which is where her grandparents, Americus and Mercy Gates lived, in the home known as the Betsy Ross House. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, Fort Madison, IA. She is survived by two sons, Christopher (Marvalyn) Ringling, of Mililani, HI and Charles (D'Lee) Ringling, of Richmond Hill, GA; a daughter, Lucretia Ringling, of Carmichael, CA; a brother, Gabriel R. "Doc" Mustell, of St. Joseph, MI; a sister, Lucretia Moore Hoepfner, of Sarasota, FL; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces; and nephews; she was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Mercy "Bobby" Morrison; and three brothers, Landon "Rob" Mustell, Frederick "Pete" Mustell and Robert "Sonny" Mustell. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. The family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a Christian Wake Service being held at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home during visitation. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2010, at Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Madison, IA, Reverend Troy Richmond as Celebrant. Private entombment services will be conducted at the family mausoleum out of state. Online condolences to the Ringling family may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel website, www.barrmemorialchapel.com. Published in Chicago Tribune on January 18, 2010