Carlajean Hollis Rebbe

Carlajean was born June 8, 1928, in Oakford, Illinois, the daughter of Edgar Clark Hollis and Nettie Myrtle Lounsberry Hollis. She married R. Michael Rebbe on July 4, 1950, in Petersburg, Illinois. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on July 4, 2015. He preceded her in death on September 19, 2015.

Carlajean was a 1946 graduate of Petersburg High School. During her high school and college days, she played AAU basketball with the Oakford Farmerettes. They drew huge crowds and won a national title against powerhouse Caterpillar.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business education from Bradley University in 1950. During her time in Peoria, Carlajean received room and board from the Damour Family in exchange for light housekeeping and babysitting. While there she played field hockey and was in the choir. She was very proud to be a Bradley Brave!

After graduating from Bradley, Carlajean taught business at Virden High School for three years while her husband was serving in the Korean War. Following that, she worked as a court reporter in Petersburg for a year before becoming a teacher at Greenview High School for a year, after which she taught Junior High School P.E. at Petersburg PORTA for two years.

She then began teaching business and typing at PORTA High School and continued doing so for 30+ years. Teaching was her passion. Carlajean taught most of Menard County how to type, take shorthand, and other business skills. While teaching at PORTA, she traveled to Western Illinois University once a week to obtain a master’s degree in business education.

She was a cheerleader sponsor, senior class sponsor, and pep rally performer, among other things. She also helped establish the girls’ sports program at PORTA by coaching volleyball, track and field, and softball for many years.

Carlajean was head scorekeeper for all home boys’ and girls’ basketball games for many years. Due to her contributions to the community, the PORTA School District inducted Carlajean into the PORTA Hall of Fame for her Teaching/Coaching/Scorekeeping and playing for the Farmerettes.

Carlajean was very active in the Petersburg community as an Alderman and received the 1st Citizen Award in 1995. She also performed humorous skits at the Menard County Fair.

Carlajean was a devout Catholic who was very active in her faith at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Petersburg and, in her later years, Christ the King Catholic Church in Springfield. She volunteered for the funeral luncheons and organized caregivers to drive people to doctor’s appointments.

She volunteered at New Salem State Park for many years at the village store and was involved in Lincoln League. Carlajean was also a founding member of the PORTA Foundation and was involved in the Lincoln Land Quilters Association. She donated her time, talent, and treasure to many organizations that are too numerous to mention.

Carlajean was always giving and sharing and trying to brighten someone’s day with her many acts of charity. She is fondly remembered for her numerous personalized birthday cards to family and friends as well as the $2 bills she would send to family members for many years.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband, golfing, yard work (especially growing tomatoes and flowers), quilting, coin collecting, thimble collecting, and was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Golden State Warriors, and college men’s and women’s basketball. Carlajean loved eating Snickers, mixed nuts, Cheetos, bacon, and pecan pancakes just about every day!

Her husband, children and grandchildren were her joy in life. She LOVED celebrating each and every birthday and holiday with her family and friends.

She is survived by son, Thaddeus (fiancée Kristen Schone) of Springfield; daughter, Monica (Ted) Harvatin of Springfield; and three grandchildren, Taylor Rebbe (partner, James) of Boston, MA, Nicholas Rebbe of Springfield, and Alex Harvatin of Springfield. She is also survived by one sister, Joyce Ann Kellogg of Ottawa, IL.

Carlajean truly was a force of love, joy, generosity and kindness! Her family and friends will miss her terribly. We are consoled by the knowledge that she is back home with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; all the saints and angels; and her husband, family, and friends.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5-7p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry Dr., Springfield, Illinois on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. A short prayer service will precede the visitation, from 4:45-5:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church with Very Rev. Christopher A. House, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Petersburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Catholic Charities, PORTA Foundation, Christ the King Parish, Springfield, IL, and St. Peter’s Parish, Petersburg, Illinois.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.