Nancy Verkuilen

She was born on December 26, 1942, in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Rudolph and Helen (Purvines) Kettelkamp. Nancy married James P. Verkuilen on September 14, 1968, in Denver, CO. He preceded her in death, on August 20, 2022.

Nancy graduated from Pleasant Plains High School in 1961 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1965. Upon graduation she moved to Denver, CO, where she pursued a career and met her beloved husband, Jim. Ultimately, the family returned to Pleasant Plains. Nancy worked for several years at Pleasant Plains State Bank where she reached the title of Vice-President of Operations. After PPSB was acquired by Illinois National Bank, she continued to work for them until her retirement.

Nancy was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland for over 50 years, where she was part of the Altar Society and other church groups. She was also an active member of her community and home town. She served as the Pleasant Plains village clerk for several years and was a member of the local Historical Society that brought life back to the Historic Site of Clayville. Throughout her life, Nancy enjoyed reading while drinking coffee each morning, doing her daily crossword puzzle, playing solitaire and watching Chicago Cubs baseball. Most importantly, she enjoyed watching and keeping up on the lives of her grandchildren. She followed them through sports, dance, singing, instrumental music, art, and their professional lives. She regularly kept up with all the sports of Pleasant Plains, Mt. Zion and Eureka Schools. She was known for being a “saint” (always took care of everybody), kind, calm, hardworking, creative and dedicated.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Glenn Wood; son-in-law, Dale Abbott; niece, Susan Washington; and foreign exchange student, Veronica Ganem Hernandez.

Nancy is survived by her daughters, Amy Abbott of Mt. Zion, IL and Lori (Lance) Rogers of Eureka; grandchildren, Kaleb and Trey Verkuilen, Keeley Tinsley, and Gabriella, Danielle, and Timothy Rogers; sister, Sally Wood; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and foreign exchange children, Heike of Germany, Eskandar of Mexico/Spain, and Esther of Mexico; and foreign exchange grandchildren, Kathryn and Jorge Argaez of Mexico.

Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial: Family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 800 W. Main St., Ashland, followed by the Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Pleasant Plains Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, or American Cancer Society at cancer.org/dignitymemorial

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.

Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.