Rachel J. Stearns' Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Rachel J. Stearns, age 77 of Charleston, passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2014 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. A celebration of her life will be held at the funeral chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2014. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to Girls on the Run or to Stride. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Rachel was born on January 17, 1937 in Carbondale, IL, a daughter of the late George and Rossie (Eddings) Walters. She married Ron Stearns on June 5, 1955 in Boskydell, Illinois. In addition to Ron, her husband of 59 years, she is survived by their four children, Rhonda Adair and husband Mike of Charleston, Ryan Stearns and wife Becca of Pflugerville, Texas, Randall Stearns and wife Chiyuki of Champaign, Illinois, and Rebecca Stearns of Charleston; 11 grandchildren, Kristy Hardwick, Benjamin Stearns, Dustin Adair, Jenny Stearns, Micah Stearns, Riley Stearns, Rossie Stearns, Travis Stearns, Max Stearns, Michelle Adair and Marlee Stearns; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, June Craig, Ange Oliver and Georgia Miskell; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a grandson, Kevin Adair; two sisters, Juanita Little and Susie Walters; and 4 brothers-in-law. Rachel was a 1955 graduate of Carbondale Community High School. She partnered with daughter Rhonda to open the Copper Eagle located at 222 Madison in Charleston and earlier partnered with husband Ron as co-owner of Stearns Printing, a successful business which operated in Charleston for 30 years.Click to view Rachel's memorial video.
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