LaVena "Jean" McQueen

 LaVena “Jean” Jeanne Wille McQueen

She was born March 25, 1931, in Chemung, Illinois to Francis and Bessie Wille. She married Melbourne D. McQueen on August 28, 1951.

She enjoyed picnics at their cabin on the Piscasaw River in Chemung with family and friends. For 44 years she drove her 1969 convertible Cadillac in the Milk Day Parade, helped with the youth parade for many years, volunteered at the Harvard Historical Museum and the Harvard Senior Citizen Center. She taught Sunday school and summer Bible school at the Chemung Methodist Church when her children were young. In Addition, she participated in the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.

LaVena was a lifetime member of the Harvard Moose. She enjoyed baking, crafting, playing cards, painting, line dancing, traveling, and cruising. She was a member of the Harvard American Legion and the Red Hat Ladies.

Survivors include: her sister Mary (Lenard) Church, two sons Philip McQueen and Coy (Memory) McQueen of Edgewater, Florida, one granddaughter Emily McQueen and her Husband Brendan Sullivan of Chicago, Illinois, two step grandchildren Sean Botsh and Lucy Botsh, one incredibly special great granddaughter, Tinelle.

In addition: nieces and nephews: Bonita Ricardson, Larry Church, Marilyn Nash, Michael Church, David Bauman, Kathy Kundo, Barbara Dowel, Charotte Kollin, Mary Brierly, Steven Wille, Jill Bruning, Julie Schlueter, William Brady, Micheal Wille, John Church, Martin Brady, Jenifer Raymond, Margie McCormick, Tracy Willson, Sarah Rasch, Scott McQueen, Laura Arviza and Ryan McQueen and many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

LaVena McQueen was preceded in death by her husband Melbourne D. McQueen, daughter Rita Jean McQueen, sisters, Ramona and her husband Harry Bauman, Minnie and her husband William Brady, Bonnie and her husband Tom Miner, her brother Ray Wille and his wife Clara, nephew, Dwight E. Bauman, granddaughter, Molly McQueen, and brother-in-law, Lenard Church.

Burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Harvard, Illinois.

Saunders and McFarlin is honored to serve the McQueen family.