Rebecca L. Pleshe

Rebecca “Becky” Pleshe, 80, of Coal Valley, Illinois, went to join her friends and family in heaven on Saturday, September 14, 2024. 

Visitation is 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, followed by a service at 7:00 p.m., officiated by Father Peter Zorjan. Graveside services are 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Morrisonville Cemetery, Morrisonville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to honor Becky by donating to any cause close to your heart or send a donation to the Pawnee Food Pantry, P.O. Box 304, Pawnee, IL 62558 or online at www.qcpaws.org, two causes she often supported.

Becky and her twin sister Bonny Franklin were born March 20, 1944 in Taylorville, IL to parents Clement and Helen Leinen. She grew up on the family farm outside of Pawnee, IL where she enjoyed riding horses, playing in their treehouse, evenings at her grandparent’s home, and helping her father in the fields. Becky and Bonny exemplified a lifelong unbreakable bond of twinship, while having each carved out their own distinct path in the world.

Becky attended school in Pawnee where she shared many happy memories of cheering at basketball games, girl scout trips, and enjoying bonfires with friends. She went on to earn a degree in Specialized Education from Illinois State University in 1966. She taught for 34 years first at Litchfield Jr High teaching special ed students and eventually moving on to Elementary students which she taught at Lincoln Irving Elementary. Throughout her many dedicated years of teaching she inspired hundreds of students with her love of reading and learning, earning many accolades including teacher of the year. 

She had a lifelong love for animals, from Leo, her classroom rabbit, who was always hopping around, to salamanders and other creatures having their place in a room stuffed to the gills with curiosities to stimulate young minds. Becky hosted science overnights in the school – inviting students to spend the evening experimenting and learning all about the natural world around them. In the 90’s she worked to inspire her students to join environmental causes, encouraging them to peacefully protest the use of Styrofoam at local fast food restaurants. Later in her career she taught a graduate class for Western Illinois University teachers. Becky was always searching for a way to make the world a better place. 

Becky and her husband David were married on May 24, 1969, recently celebrating 55 years of marriage. They purchased ten wooded acres outside of Moline, IL in 1975 where they built their home together with the help of “How to Build” books and weekend sacrifices of family and friends. Becky enjoyed her morning chores of feeding feral cats, birds, wild turkeys, deer and the all too frequent raccoon that wandered onto the 10 acres of woodland they called home. Becky and David loved to travel, cook, dance, volunteer, and spend time with family. Throughout the years they traveled all over the world making it from Africa to Costa Rica and multiple trips to Europe. In 1972 they spent a summer in art school in Nice, France where they shared many wonderful experiences. Together, they lived a life of service, volunteering and donating to many causes both near and far. 

Becky is the proud mother of Elizabeth (Travis) Pleshe Neill of Golden, CO and second mother to nieces Alana Sue Franklin and Alison (Ryan) Louise Jacobs. She devoted much of her retirement time to her grandchildren – Meana and Mason Jacobs and later her granddaughter Lilliana Neill – spending time teaching them to love nature, be lifelong learners, and above all be in service to others. Becky often spoke of meeting Mother Theresa and how she felt a connection to her deep compassion and dedication to serving the poor. Becky’s life reminds us of the power of simple acts of kindness and the profound impact of serving others with great love. 

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.