UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION BELOW: Sylvia Staley of Loves Park, Illinois went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2024 at the age of 83, after a years long battle with Parkinson’s. She died surrounded by loved ones. Preceded in death by loving parents Chester and Edith(Huston) Staley of Springfield, Illinois. Survived by her brother and his wife Warren and Mary Lynn(Haymaker) Staley of Colorado; nieces and nephews Jennifer (Jason) Cherveny of Denver, Colorado; Jeffrey (Jocelynn) Staley of Atherton, California; and Christopher Staley of Minneapolis, Minnesota. And by seven great nieces and nephews. And by her “adopted “ family Maria and Eduardo Zavala and their children Daniela and Eduardo of Loves Park.
Sylvia was born in Springfield September 9, 1940, attended Springfield High School and Illinois State Normal where she received a degree in Education. Upon graduation she was hired by Harlem High School in Loves Park as a Spanish teacher where she taught for 32 years. On several occasions Sylvia several took some of her Spanish students to Spain.
After retiring from teaching Sylvia invested her time at Northeast Christian Church, much of it ministering to the Seniors group until recently when she wasn’t able to be as active. She moved from her home to Fairhaven Retirement Center where she resided at the time of her death.
Sylvia loved to travel and visited her brother’s family when they lived in England and Argentina. After they returned to the US she took her brother’s three children on trips in the summer. She continued the tradition with the youngest, Chris, for several years.
Sylvia was a friend to many, lived her life as a servant leader. She had a very impactful life.
There was a private interment ceremony at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A Celebration of Life for Sylvia is planned for Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at Northeast Christian Church, 5651 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL 61114.
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