Connie LaDon Brubaker, 69, of Taylorville, died at 7:56 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019, at her home.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville. A short visitation will also be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, at the First United Methodist Church of Taylorville. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., at the church, with Rev. Becky Lembke officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at Sandy Branch Cemetery in rural Alma. Family will gather afterward at Wesley United Methodist Church. Arrangements are being handled by McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville.
Mrs. Brubaker was born on Sept. 15, 1949, in Salem to Floyd and Marjorie (Conant) Jones. She married James Ray Brubaker on Aug. 8, 1970, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Patoka.
Mrs. Brubaker graduated from Kinmundy-Alma High School in 1967, she obtained her associate of arts degree from Kaskaskia College and a bachelor of science degree in English Education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Mrs. Brubaker devoted her career to education. She was especially gifted by her ability to accept people as they were while still being able to challenge them to excel. She taught a variety of English and literature classes at Litchfield High School for 29 years.
After stepping out of the classroom, Mrs. Brubaker moved on as an implementation specialist and consultant for the Academic Development Institute affiliation with Temple University, as well as a consultant and developer for Western Illinois University's GED Illinois Online Project. She later taught several classes for Lincoln Land Community College before culminating her career with the Illinois Community College Board as a project coordinator for a project providing professional development workshops for administrators, technology coordinators and higher education faculty.
The Brubakers enjoyed art, antique stores and conversation. As their family grew, yearly vacations were a highlight. The past decade was about sharing love, laughter and kisses with their grandchildren. Mrs. Brubaker's faith provided deep fulfillment to her, especially through service and relationships. She was an organist at St. Timothy United Methodist Church for many years and a member of a small Bible study group. She was most recently a member of First United Church of Taylorville, where she helped to tabulate financial contributions.
In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, writing and traveling.Her home provided her with much comfort and relaxation over the years. Mrs. Brubaker was a published author whose love of nature inspired the title for her book of poetry, "Leaving the Limberlost" which was published in 2006.
Mrs. Brubaker is survived by her husband; two children, Stephanie (Matt) Lawson of Troy and Ben Brubaker of Maryville; three granddaughters, Hannah Lawson, Emma and Grace Brubaker; two brothers, Stan (Linda) Jones and Roger (Cathy) Jones, both of Alma; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; and one nephew.
Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund. Condolences may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
