LaVonne Phyllis Seelye

She was born on Feb. 26, 1932, in Shannon, IL, to Clifford E. and Alice I. (Hayenga) Hepfer.

LaVonne is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Seelye. They were married on Dec. 20, 1952, in Peoria. She is also survived by one sister, Mildred J. (Ron) Talley of Florida; daughter, Sandra Roe of Normal, IL; son, Ronald (Mary Ann) Seelye of Saint Peters, MO; and daughter, Linda Egle of East Peoria, IL; nine grandchildren Lisa Schwarze, Jennifer (Gary Michael) McIntyre, Brian Seelye, Christopher Seelye, Adam (Madison) Seelye, Daniel Seelye, Kellie Seelye, Grace Seelye, and Max Seelye; six great-grandchildren; five nieces, Mary Trevillian, Barb (Dan) Bose, Karen Trevillian, Susan Talley, and Nena (Chuck) Gullette; and one nephew, Mike (Kathi) Talley. Preceding her in death are her sister, Dorothy (John) Trevillian; sister-in-law, Nan (Jim) Chianakas; son-in-law, Steven Egle; niece, Carol (Trevillian) McKnight-Foster; and nephew, Larry Chianakas.

By the time LaVonne was 14 the family had moved twelve times around north central Illinois, eventually settling in Peoria where her father took a teaching position at Bradley University. LaVonne was a Peoria High School graduate and attended Bradley University for two years before marrying that tall handsome blonde with the quick smile, Bill Seelye. LaVonne met Bill when he raided a slumber party with friends during their senior year of high school. They enjoyed seventy years of marriage, raising three children. They built two houses together and ran a business, A. H. Seelye & Son Painting & Decorating. She was the Executive Vice-President (accountant) for over thirty years.

She was a deacon and long-time member of Arcadia Presbyterian, now United Presbyterian Church. LaVonne was a wonderful loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She never met a stranger. She volunteered at her children’s schools, led Girl Scouts, and worked at Wildlife Prairie Park. She was an active member of the Clubs at River City, playing tennis and enjoying aqua aerobics classes. Both Bill and LaVonne enjoyed playing tennis and snow skiing but were most often found on their boat at Detweiller Marina along the Illinois River. They traveled to Europe, cruised in Alaska, the Panama Canal, and along the east coast. They sailed in the Caribbean and rafted the Salmon River and Grand Canyon with friends.

As a grandmother she was terrific. She hand-selected a steady supply of books for her grandchildren to help instill in them a love of reading, reading to them herself every chance she could. She also provided swim lessons and other activities for many of her grandchildren when they stayed with her and Grampa for a week in the summer (this was known as Grandma camp). They enjoyed her cooking, especially her pies and cookies.

A visitation will take place on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 pm at United Presbyterian Church, 2400 W. Northmoor Rd., Peoria, IL. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at 11:00 am with a one-hour visitation prior at United Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made on her behalf to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.woolsey-wilton.com.