Vera LaVonne Raney

 Vera L. Raney, 87, died Friday, June 8 at Willow Crest Nursing Home in Sandwich, IL. She was born Jan. 31, 1931 Adams Township in rural Leland, IL, to Charles and Forest (nee Taylor) Raney. She is survived by her sister Myrna (Edward) Fox of Leland, and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, five sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law, her brothers Richard, Carroll, Burl, Kenton, Melvin, Eldon, her sister Arlene Johnson and three nephews Charles Johnson, John Raney and Mike Raney.She graduated from Waterman High School class of 1949. After high school, she was employed as a telephone operator in Sandwich. She joined the Somonauk Baptist Church and was saved. She attended the Prairie Bible Institute in Calgary, Alberta Canada graduating in 1957. She traveled to Germany and Austria as a missionary for several years. Upon her return, she taught bible school in Wisconsin, and was a care giver for many years.Vera’s many nieces and nephews have fond memories of visits to the farm. The television was never on. Instead she encouraged playing games like marbles, Chinese Checkers, Dominos and Memory, or climbing trees, playing on the swing set, play tag or rolling down the hill in the front yard. They were free to use their imaginations to create and dream and just be kids. Vera also shared her love for reading with them. Often when they spent the night, she’d tuck them in and read stories. A favorite was the Little House On The Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. And who could forget the Hershey’s chocolate milk mix, and the lemon drops and wintergreen candies in jars on the counter.She lived many years at the Sandwich Manor before Willow Crest. Funeral service will be held Thursday June 14th 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Beverage Family Funeral Home Sandwich, IL. visitation will be held same day from 12:00 noon till the time of service. Interment to follow at Little Indian Creek Cemetery Leland, IL The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Willow Crest for the excellent care she received, the Guiding Light Hospice nurses and Rev. Leon McClinnis who was with Vera when she died.