Lona K. Sartore
November 3, 1925 ~ September 19, 2023
Born in:
Alberta, Canada
Resided in:
Taylorville, Illinois
Lona K. Sartore, 97, went to her heavenly home at 5:20 p.m. on September 19, 2023, at Bria of Godfrey.
Lona was born in Vermilion, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of Sidney and Winifred Wickham. In 1945 Lona married MSgt Guideo Sartore at the U.S. Air Base Chapel in Edmonton, Alberta. They made their home in Taylorville, Illinois later that year after the end of World War II. Guideo passed in January 1960. Lona raised her 3 children and made her home in Taylorville until September 2021, when she moved into nursing care.
Lona graduated from The Decatur School of Practical Nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse on February 20, 1963. She then worked at St. Vincent’s Memorial Hospital in Taylorville until her retirement. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Church in Taylorville where she was active in Catholic Daughters of the Americas, quilting, preparation of funeral meals, and choir. She also served as a Brownie leader and a Girl Scout leader and was an associate of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.
Surviving are three children and their spouses: Bill and Della Reazer of Springfield, IL, Larry and Mary K. Crocker of Godfrey, Illinois, and John and Cathy Sartore of Edmond, Oklahoma. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Jeff Reazer, Traci (Chris) Varteressian, Stephanie (Brian) Turner, Robin (Harris) Sartore-Coltrain, and Nick Sartore; two great-grandchildren, Hollie (Kevin Tierney) Harrigan and Ilaria Sartore; two brothers, John (Sylvia) Wickham and Tom Wickham; one sister, Florence; and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation rites have been accorded, and a private graveside ceremony will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Mary Catholic Church, 108 W. Adams Street, Taylorville, IL 62568, or St. Mary School, 422 S. Washington Street, Taylorville, IL 62568.
The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti and Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville with ceremonies.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Lona, or to offer condolences to her family.
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Lona K. Sartore 's name.
St. Mary School
422 S. Washington St.
Taylorville,
IL
62568
St. Mary's Catholic Church
108 W. Adams St.
Taylorville,
IL
62568
Memories Timeline
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Lona is such a delightful, uplifting soul, and I’m especially thankful to have known her. Long ago, before we happened to meet, her cousin from out of state told me she had a cousin in Taylorville. Although I did not see Lona often, I was always happy when we had a chance to visit. My sympathy for your loss goes to each of you. I know she loved her family.
She was an Associate of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ and had happy memories of her volunteer summer in Cairo with the Sisters. Faithfully attended our Associate meetings. Always had a smile.
As her family, you took such good care of her as she aged and needed more care. Am grateful that three of us from Taylorville were able to visit her this past Sunday. She is home now resting in God’s loving embrace. … surrounded by the love and care of her family as she journeyed home to God.
My love, care and sympathy to: Bill and Della, Larry and Mary K. , John and Cathy and all the family. You walked Lona home to God and there is no greater mission in life than to walk a loved one home to God. May you know God’s peace and consolation. ++++++
Sister Rose McKeown, asc
Sympathy for all the family. Lona was lifelong friend of my mother, Kathryn Durbin, and I continued that relationship for many years.
Sympathy and condolences to the family
I am so sorry to see about the loss of your mother. I have so many fond memories of her and have thought of her often through the years. See lived a long and fruitful life. I had to smile when it mentioned her being a Brownie and Girl Scout leader because I was one of her followers. In fact in the last 5 years I have made 2 of the sit-a-pons that she taught us to make. I’d hate to think how many octupi I have made from yarn and a ball through the years. I truly loved your mom.
I first met Lona when I was 12 when she & Guido first came to Taylorville from Canada after WWII. They stayed at our house, which was next to my family’s My Store. For me, Lona increasingly felt like family.
I never lived in Taylorville since high school; but reunions with Lona and Guido were a priority. The early loss of Guido (who felt like an older brother to me) increased the priority with Lona. And through the decades, I became amazed at her strengths in rearing three children and growing in her work possibilities. And always with her special personality. Now almost 90, I’ll always remember our Taylorville lunches together during our retirement years when we shared memories.