Dana Finney

Dana Finney Dana Lou Finney, 61, Champaign, formerly of Oblong, Illinois passed away Sunday, October 8, 2017 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Dana was born March 14, 1956 in Robinson, IL , the beloved daughter of James L. Finney and Lulu B. (O'Dell) Finney. She spent her early years in Oblong, graduating as valedictorian in the class of 1974 from Oblong High School. She then graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1978 with a degree in Independent Plan of Study (IPS) majoring in writing/editing. She worked in Champaign for the American Oil Chemists Society, Human Kinetics, and the Army Corp of Engineers at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (C.E.R.L.). While at C.E.R.L. she earned many citations and awards, including the prestigious Army Corp of Engineers Editor of the Year award (worldwide), which she received twice. She had a spectacular career and traveled worldwide as their Public Affairs officer until her retirement in 2015. Dana enjoyed world traveling, gardening, writing, photography and playing bunco. On July 11, 1981 she married Dennis R. Reed. He preceded her in death Sept. 26, 2015, after 34 years of marriage. She is survived by her parents, Jim and Lulu Finney of Oblong, her brother, Danny (Carolyn) Finney, Champaign, sister-in-law Karen (David) Reed-Trautman, St. Joseph and her Mother-in-law, Alta Mae Reed, St. Joseph. Other survivors include her nephews Brian (Justine Arrington) Finney, Champaign, Derek Finney, Oak Lawn. Il, Matthew Gebbink, Urbana, and Ryan Reed, St. Joseph, nieces Jennifer (Andy) Schmidt, Schaumburg, Kimberly (Troy) Smith, Urbana, Megan Gebbink, St. Joseph and Tracy Reed. She is also survived by a host of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Harold and Eulah Finney, maternal grandparents Elda and Cleetis O'Dell, father-in-law Dale (Jack) Reed Sr., and brother-in-law Dale Reed, Jr. Dana had a great compassion for animals and always kept several pets, which also survive her. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Champaign County Humane Society or the Spay-Neuter Clinic of Crawford County. Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home 710 N Neil St. Champaign IL. 61820. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 14 at 9am at Sunset Funeral Home followed by a service at 1pm at White Oak Cemetery Chapel 14997 N 50th St Oblong IL 62449. Please join Dana's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Visitation Oct 13, 2017 Friday, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Service Oct 14, 2017 Saturday, 9:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Final Resting Place White Oak Cemetery 14997 N 50th St Oblong, IL 62449