Mrs. Mary Rosalie Chaney, 77, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away at 10:17 am Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
Rosalie was born August 21, 1943 at home in Victoria, Illinois the daughter of Archie Nathan and Margaret (Gibbs) Milroy. She married John Chaney on June 16, 1963 at the Victoria United Methodist Church.
Rosalie is survived by her husband of 57 years, John of Galesburg; her children, Doug (Dawnielle) Chaney of San Jose, California and Diana (Darin) Higgins of Bushnell, Illinois; five grandchildren, Abbie (Riley) Franzen of Galesburg, Claire Chaney of Nashville, Tennessee, Julia Chaney of Chicago, Illinois, Pvt. Cody Higgins of Joy, Illinois and Maclain Chaney of Knoxville, Tennessee; two great grandchildren, Ruby and Carlie Franzen; one brother, Donald Milroy of Moline, Illinois and two sisters, Jane Crosson and Marilyn Saline both of Galesburg. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Marjorie Davis and her brother, Robert Milroy.
Rosalie attended school in Victoria and graduated from ROVA High School in 1961, where she was a cheerleader. She was a member of the Victoria School 50 Year Club.
Rosalie had worked for the Interstate Telephone Company as an operator and as a maintenance agreement representative for Sears. She was an Avon representative but most importantly she was a homemaker. She had lived in Victoria, Galesburg, and Mt Zion, Illinois.
Rosalie was an accomplished seamstress that loved creating many clothes and costumes over the years, she was an avid collector of Teddy Bears and Raggedy Anns. She taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church, Galesburg and United Methodist Church, Mt. Zion. As a long time local resident, Rosalie took great pride in her family’s 180+year history in the area and was always in constant contact from her sisters, family & friends, she also shared a close bond with her dear niece, Kay Penninger. She was a diehard republican, member of First United Methodist Church and formerly First Baptist Church and Faith United Methodist both in Galesburg. Rosalie had a number of health issues in her final years that limited her eyesight and mobility that impacted her independence.
Visitation is scheduled for 1:00-3:00 pm Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Services will follow at 3:00 pm at the chapel with Pastor Mary Runge officiating. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited occupancy. Those wishing to attend the funeral “virtually” may watch the live broadcast at 3:00 pm Sunday on the funeral home’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-160333664037824A private family burial will be in Victoria Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Galesburg and Victoria United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
