Dawn R. Horaney, 70, a resident of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away at the age of 70 on October 25, 2023. Born in Galesburg on March 25, 1953, to the late Donald H. and Jean M. (Foster) Sparling, she spent most of her life in the community she loved so dearly. Dawn is fondly remembered by her surviving family members including her husband of 47 years, John M. Horaney, whom she married on September 18, 1976 in Galesburg; her daughter Amy (Joseph) Blanchard of Mascoutah, Illinois; step-daughter Lori Horaney of Galesburg; and brother Dana Sparling of Arlington, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Dawn dedicated a significant portion of her life to the Knox County Circuit Clerk, working in the felony division until her retirement in 2014.
Dawn enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada. Her love for beauty, however, was not reserved for twinkling cityscapes alone. Dawn also cherished the untamed beauty of nature during drives in the country. At home, she found joy in playing computer games and arranging flowers, exhibiting her creativity and zest for life.
As an active member of her community, Dawn was a longtime member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and was actively involved in the Knights of Columbus Mentally Handicapped Drive with her husband, John. In her younger years, she was a bowler and a member of multiple organizations, including the Eastern Star, White Shrine, and a Majority Member of the International Order of the Rainbow Girls.
Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. The rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass for Dawn will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 30, 2023 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg. Father Nathan Hopper will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be directed to Camden’s Comfort Project or to the Knights of Columbus for the Mentally Handicapped Drive. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
