Alice A. Coon

MORTON – Alice Anna Coon was a loving wife, mother, γιαγια (grandmother), sister and friend. She went peacefully after a battle with pancreatic cancer to be with Jesus on June 12, 2021, surrounded by her five children and husband of nearly 42 years. She was 65 years old.

Alice was born on April 14, 1956, to John and Elizabeth Bapes in Chicago, Illinois, and spent her childhood in La Grange Park, Illinois. She always spoke fondly of her childhood with her brothers and sisters, her Greek heritage, her cheerleading at La Grange Township High School, and LaGrange Gospel Chapel, where she chose to follow Jesus during her freshman year. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Secondary Math Education and later moved to the Peoria area to teach math at Pekin High School. Through her move to the Peoria area, she met her husband, Darrel Coon, of Peoria, Illinois. She and Darrel moved to Morton in 1983, where they have lived in the same home for the last 37 years.

Alice lived an active and full life and was always ready for a game, an outing, jobs around the house or garden, or going out to have a tea. She loved taking walks with her dog and with her friends. Her weekly exercise and pickle ball groups kept her feeling young, though she often found it difficult to control her competitive side against the other retirees. She loved attending all kinds of sporting events, but she particularly loved the Chicago Cubs and was rewarded for her lifetime of suffering in 2016 with their World Series Win. She loved playing the piano and flute and enjoyed attending concerts and musicals. Later in life, she merged her love of education and music by teaching piano. She was an active member of Grace Church in Morton, where she cherished the relationships with many friends and her small group. Her faith gave her strength through many difficult life events, and each morning she could be found in her bedroom talking with God.

Alice’s family was her most prized possession. After leaving teaching professionally, she dedicated herself to homeschooling her five children. She loved attending her children’s baseball, soccer, cross country, and marching band events. She spent many summers vacationing with her family in Door County, Wisconsin, where she loved hiking, biking, and going to the outdoor theatre. She loved teasing her husband, delegating jobs to do at family events, and making everyone stop and take a picture whenever possible.

She was survived by her husband, Darrel; her children, Jason (Emily) Coon, Abbie (Kevin) Schick, Emily (David) Price, Ashley Coon, Tiffany (Luke) Martin; her 10 grandchildren; and her two sisters, Jeanine Staszcuck and JoAnne Justice. She showered her love and generosity on her family during her life (for which Costco is extremely grateful).

She was preceded in death by her daughter Laura; her parents, John and Elizabeth Bapes; and her brothers, Peter Bapes and Bob Bapes.

Alice’s life will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Grace Church in Morton. The visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to WBNH Radio 88.5 in Peoria, Illinois, which provided music and encouragement to Alice throughout her life (Please designate checks “In memory of Alice Coon”).

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.