LaVonne T.  Spillane, 80, of Apple River, Illinois passed away peacefully at home with her beloved family at her side. She was born February 16, 1943, in Menominee, Illinois, the daughter of Albert & Theresa (Imbus) Erner. She graduated from Galena High School. LaVonne married her high school sweetheart Robert J Spillane (RJ) at  Nativity BVM Church in Menominee on April 20, 1962.  Together they were blessed with three wonderful daughters Mary, Patty & Connie.

LaVonne believed in hard work and a caring heart.  She worked at the Apple River Dairy until it closed and then went on to work as an in-home caretaker for the elderly until she retired.  LaVonne was the backbone of their family business, Stagecoach Trails Livery. Together, her and Bob hosted large groups and gave stagecoach and sleigh rides for many years.  They eventually created Stagecoach Trails Limestone together. LaVonne believed in service to her community.  She sat on the board for Echoes of the Past throughout its entirety and truly enjoyed sharing the weekend with all who came. She was a member of St Joseph's Catholic Church, served on the Pastoral Council and was an active member in the Altar and Rosary Society where she served as Treasurer until her passing. LaVonne was very dedicated to the renovation of the St Joseph's cemetery, even asking for improvements to be made in her final days.

LaVonne loved her family with her whole heart and as a family they made an abundance of treasured memories. LaVonne's greatest joy besides her daughters and son in laws were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family trips to Colorado, Ireland, Wyoming, Idaho, Texas & many camping trips along the way as well with her children and grandchildren. LaVonne and Bob were known to jump in the car and go for a drive to New Diggings on a Sunday for good music and a cold beer. LaVonne could always be found cleaning her house and enjoyed  walking to the farm to feed the cows and then down to the cemetery to visit Bob. She enjoyed sitting on her front porch watching the hummingbirds and shelling corn for the squirrels.   She loved quiet moments visiting with friends and family and her grand-dogs. As a grandma, LaVonne will be remembered for throwing the best New Years Eve sleepovers that her grandchildren still talk about today. She was known for cooking the best peach cobbler, beef stew and pasty. LaVonne wasn't one to sit around but she did love watching Daniel O'Donnell every Saturday night on TV after attending mass at St Joseph's in Apple River.  Her daughters were very blessed to take her to see him weeks before her illness.

She is survived by her daughters Mary (Jerry) Willer Peosta, IA, Patty (Mick) Arand, Stockton, IL and Connie (Greg) Kruger Scales Mound, IL. Ten grandchildren; Jessica (Winston) Storey, Bobbi (Brandon) Decker, Kevin (Molly) Arand, Jordan (Victoria) Arand, Destiny (Whitney) Perkins-Willer, Jenna-Lynn Willer (fiancé, Andie), Paige Willer, Katie (Greg) Leahy, Ryan Kruger (fiancé, Kristen), and Kristy Kruger. Nine great grandchildren; Stetson & Blakely Storey, Mayci, Brigson & Griffin Decker, Baylor & Briley Arand, Tyson Leahy, and Pacey Perkins-Willer, and baby boy Perkins-Willer due in January.

LaVonne is also survived by her sister Elaine (Clinton) White; brother in laws: Ron Spillane, Barry (Janet) Spillane, Bobby (Sue) Stietz, Billy (Judy) Stietz; and sister in laws; Diane (Ed) Holland, Rosemary Crawford, Jean Maxwell, many nieces and nephews and her church family.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her parents, husband RJ, her sister Grace and brothers-in-law Leroy Fields, Jim and Joe Spillane and her sister-in-law Rose Spillane.  She will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Funeral mass will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple River, IL.

A visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at the church.

Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Apple River, IL.

Father Andrew Hernandez will officiate the services.

A luncheon will follow the services at the church.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for St. Joseph's Altar and Rosary Society and FHN Hospice.

The family would like to thank the Doctors and nurses at SSM Health in Monroe, FHN Hospice, Leamon's Ambulance Service, and everyone else who made it possible for LaVonne to live her final days at home.