Mary “Lorraine” Willfong was a loving mother, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend. She left this world on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023, at 3:15 pm at the age of 80. She passed peacefully with family by her side at Carle Hospital in Urbana, Illinois. A visitation will be held at Freese Funeral Home in Sidney on Sunday, March 19th from 3:00-5:00 pm. Mass services will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Philo on Monday, March 20th at 10:30 am with burial at Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney.
She was born Mary Lorraine Dowling on November 14th, 1942, at the Chicago L.I. Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She was born to Lillian Volay Dowling and James Elroy Dowling who have both preceded her to heaven. She was a beloved sister to Elroy (Nancy) Dowling and the late Frances (Carol) Dowling.
She was baptized and attended St. Basil’s Church as a child, and she attended St. Rose of Lima during her school years. She joined Edward J. Haas in her first marriage on October 27, 1962. They began their family in Chicago, Illinois before making Sidney, Illinois their family home in 1975, where she stayed for her remaining 47 years. Lorraine married Larry Willfong later in life on November 3, 1998.
Lorraine loved and adored her family, including her three children: the late Edward Haas Jr., David (Stephanie) Haas of Philo, and Bridget (John) Hillier of Sidney. Her late husband Larry Willfong also preceded her in death. She was a loving stepmother to Kenneth (Charlene) Willfong of New Braunfels, TX and Gina (Rich) Wilson of Tipp City, OH. The lights of her life were her five grandchildren, including Lily Haas & fiancé Jackson Dimmick of Memphis, TN, Lauren, Natalie and Nora Haas of Philo, IL, and Ayla Hillier of Sidney, IL; and four step-grandchildren Hannah (Dalton) Logan and Wyatt Wilson of Tipp City, OH and Campbell Willfong of New Braunfels, TX & Maggie Willfong of Carmel, IN. She also formed a close bond with her extended family, including many wonderful cousins, sisters and brothers by marriage, nieces, and nephews.
The home she created became a home of laughter, comfort, and love. Her home was a place where many would gather for fun, friendship, and the many Haas Family 4th of July parties and pool parties. Her house was often filled with the sounds of her beautiful voice singing to the Supremes or other Motown oldies. You were always greeted with the warmest of smiles in her presence. She loved and needed nothing more than to have her family around her, laughing and enjoying each other’s company with one of her signature Bloody Mary's in hand. She opened her doors to all who needed it and provided support in any way she could. To many throughout Sidney, she became "Mom”, and she was proud of all her kids, blood or not.
She served as President of the Alter & Rosary Society and was a member of the Champaign-Urbana Elks Lodge. During her life, she held various jobs, which included serving as a Clerk for the Champaign County Courthouse and a Sales Associate at Spritz Jewelers. She loved to cook and was always festive in attitude and wardrobe. Her favorite color was pink, which was evident in her choice of home décor, clothing, flowers, and all other things. She loved NASCAR racing and reading a good book. If she was watching television, it was likely an episode of Wheel of Fortune or Law and Order. She loved wearing jewelry and she loved spoiling her kids and grandkids with it even more. She gave the best back scratches and liked to point her fingers when she danced. She got a kick out of giving Soap on a Rope at Christmas, and never came without her famous Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
To everyone she met, she was a sweet, caring, fun-loving soul who made sure everyone was taken care of before herself. She will be missed immensely by all who were blessed to have known her.
Freese FH 3/17/2023
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