Jonelle Sadilek

Jonelle Sadilek was born on October 24, 1946 in Charleston, West Virginia and died on that same date, October 24, 2023 at home in Champaign, IL. Preceding her in death were her father and mother, John and Lou Ella Burnside of Marmet, WV, her sister, Jane Harless of Scott Depot, WV, her brother-in-law, Bob Sadilek of Cedar Rapids, IA, her brother-in-law, John Paulson of Melbourne, FL, and her nephew, Joel Sadilek of Los Angeles, CA.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Rick, her sons, Matt (Cassie) of Heyworth, IL and John (Amy) of Geneva, IL, her five grandchildren, Lucas, Arya, June, Calvin, and Oliver, her sister-in-law, Judy Sadilek of Cedar Rapids, IA, her sister-in-law, Shirley Paulson of Melbourne, FL, her brother-in-law, Ed Harless of Scott Depot, WV, her nieces, Elizabeth Sadilek-Labenski (John) of Edwards, CO, Jennifer Szymanowski (Chris) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Julie Conner (Chad) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Natalie Hollomon (Jamie Bartley) of Abingdon, VA, and JD Ritter of Los Angeles, CA, and her nephew, Tim Paulson (Gayle) of Melbourne, FL.

Jonelle graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Ohio University in Athens, OH and from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with an MA in Psychology in 1972. It was at the University of Illinois where she met her husband, Rick. They raised their children together in Champaign, IL and were married for 53 years.

Jonelle loved the students she served as a teacher’s aide in special education classrooms at Jefferson Middle School and later Westview Elementary School.

Growing up, Jonelle was a dancer and scholar. In her adult life, her hobbies were reading, listening to pop music, and caring for her dog, Lucy. But she especially loved visiting with her children and grandchildren. She so appreciated the loving help her family gave in recent years.

Rick refers to her as the sweetest, most loving person he ever knew. She will be deeply missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to send a donation to the charity of your choice.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, October 28 from 10-11 am at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St, Champaign. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Prairieview Cemetery, Savoy.