Carolyn Jane Forney Obituary (1933

Carolyn Jane Forney, 92, died peacefully in her sleep September 8, 2026, at Tjardes Health Center at Evenglow Inn, Pontiac, Illinois. Carolyn was the heart of her family. She raised five children: Sue Crawford (Jeff), Lillian, AL; Mary Forney (Tony Brenneman), Kalona, IA; Mike Forney (Peggy), Graymont, IL; Liz Handley (Joe), Decatur, IL; and Jon Forney (Brandi), Flanagan, IL. They added 11 grandchildren: Jason Gallup, Sarah Foote, Ben and Liza Brenneman, Sean and Meganne Forney, Ivy, Jake, and Mac Handley, Maddy and Nick Forney and 10 great-grands. Carolyn was born in Pontiac, IL to Howard & Agnes Mills Grimm, graduated from Flanagan schools, attended Blackburn College, and graduated from Illinois State University. Throughout her life she chose paths that served others. Starting as a teacher at Flanagan Grade School, she also worked as Activities Director at Meadows Mennonite Home, Coordinator for the Livingston County SHOW bus, and as a Vision & Hearing Tech and Health Educator for Livingston Co. Public Health. A passionate volunteer and woman of faith, Carolyn shared her gifts at Flanagan Mennonite & Prairieview Churches, the Flanagan Food Pantry and Welcome Wagon, at Good Samaritan Home, and anywhere she was needed. Her final act of generosity was donating her body to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. Arrangements were coordinated by Calvert Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, Flanagan. It’s hard to encapsulate all that Carolyn was to so many people. She believed strongly in education, urged her children and those she mentored to pursue life experiences, and valued strong connections with people at every stage of her life. She loved deeply and was deeply loved. A celebration of life will be Saturday, September 26 at the Flanagan Public Library from 3-30pm followed by a visitation from 345-5pm. Special thanks to the staff at the Evenglow facilities and special friends who helped make her last years a little brighter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carolyn’s name to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), the Flanagan HS Ag Dept. or the Flanagan Public Library District.