Kari Elizabeth Fonner, 38, of Danville passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at her home. Kari Beth was born September 30, 1987, in Urbana, the daughter of Lester and Cindy (Kamerer) Fonner.
Kari is survived by her father, Lester (Vickie) Fonner of Ogden, her brother, Chad (Candy) Fonner of Philo, her sisters, Amber Fonner of Tolono and Shelbie (Codie Swan) Murphy of Champaign. She is also survived by her nieces Emmie, Sienna, and Asjah, and her nephew Ashton.
Kari grew up in Philo as a typical small-town girl who was extremely close to her maternal grandparents, Richard and Fayetta Kamerer, and her many uncles, aunts and cousins. She attended schools at Unity and was an active member of Countryside United Methodist Church.
When Kari Beth was 15 years old, her mother tragically passed away from leukemia. At that time, she went to live with her father in Ogden and she attended St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Whatever school Kari attended, she had many friends. She enjoyed hanging around her father’s workplace, Long’s Garage in Urbana.
Kari really enjoyed old and new country music. Her favorite part was singing country songs with her mother or her father while they were driving on “country cruises”. Cindy and Kari both loved Patsy Cline’s songs.
At age 21, Kari developed Type I diabetes and was physically disabled for the balance of her life. At that time, she became friends with Steve Miller who helped her meet her health challenges. Together they built a deep friendship, attending many Illinois sporting events and enjoying boating. They traveled throughout the Midwest, including the 2008 Kentucky Derby, Justin Beiber concerts with Shelbie and vacations to Table Rock Lake in Missouri. They also attended the Salvation Army on Prospect Avenue in Champaign where Kari became reacquainted with her uncle, Barry Kamerer. The congregation welcomed her with constant love and support, and Kari loved them in return. Many others assisted in Kari’s care in the last 18 years, including her most recent beau, Mike Mullins.
Kari was passionate about everyone and everything who meant anything to her, especially her dogs, including Nyah Jean, Cheeko Alfred, Baby Girl, Scrappy, and Bella (still living). Her dogs were her heart and the ashes of the dogs who have gone before her will be buried with her.
Kari was a light in the world and she loved hard. She was sweet to her very core, and she will be missed terribly. She had lots of friends and always wanted to be the life of every party. She loved all children, and they all loved her. Her deepest regret was not being able to bear children of her own.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main St., Sidney. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Visitation is one hour prior to the services from 10 to 11 a.m.
https://www.freesefh.com/notices/Kari-Fonner
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