Juanita Acton Rector

Juanita Acton Rector, affectionately known by her loving husband as "little bird", departed for her journey to be with her husband of 68 years, Leo, and her son, Carl, on Friday, November 30, 2018, at 3:00 p.m.

Juanita was born on January 8, 1923, in Collison, IL. She was the daughter of Robert L. Acton and Goldie Chesnut Acton. Juanita graduated from Armstrong High School in 1941 and attended Barry Castle Business College in Champaign, IL. She worked in the Office of Price Administration rationing food in Champaign, during wartime. She also worked as a secretary for Eisner Piggly Wiggly Foodstores.

Juanita married the love of her life on August 3, 1947, at #10 church near Armstrong, Illinois, and had three sons, Michael, Carl and Jon.

After losing her son, Carl, to leukemia at the age of 13, she co-founded the local chapter of Compassionate Friends and was active in the organization for many years. Juanita was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Champaign and served as a deacon and elder. She was also a member of United Presbyterian Women.

Juanita loved to play bridge and she and her husband, Leo, danced for many years with the University Club and C-U Elks Club.

Juanita was famously known for her "Juanita Day" which is what her family and friends knew as a day devoted to pampering yourself and taking it easy. Throughout the years, many followed her advice and were the better for it.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Harris Rector, her son, Carl Rector, parents, Robert and Goldie Acton, and her siblings, Marjorie Ashcraft Norville, Robert Acton, Charles Acton and an infant sister, Mary Belle Acton.

Survivors include sons, Michael Rector (Ellen) of West Richland, WA, and Jon Rector (Cathy) of Champaign; grandchildren, David Rector of West Richland, WA., Jason Rector (Lisa) of Champaign, Collin Rector (Katie Hansen) of Champaign, Brian Rector of Champaign, Aaron Adsit (Helen) of Seattle, WA, and Colleen Adsit Stoltz (Michael) of Great Falls, VA; and great-grandchildren, Kynzee Rector and Leo Rector, of Champaign, and Sophia Stoltz and William Stoltz, both of Great Falls, VA; and her brother-in-law, Paul Rector of Champaign.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 6th, at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil Street, Champaign IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 7th, at First Presbyterian Church in Champaign, IL and burial at Collison Cemetery in Collison, IL, with a casual luncheon held in Collison, immediately following interment.

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Autumn Fields Assisted Living in Savoy, IL, and the devoted staff at Carle Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929, First Presbyterian Church, 302 W. Church St, Champaign, IL 61820, or to Carle Hospice, 206 W. Anthony Drive, Champaign, IL 61822.

Services Visitation Thursday December 6, 2018 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820 Funeral Service Friday December 7, 2018 10:00 AM First Presbyterian Church 302 W Church St Champaign, IL 61820 Committal Friday December 7, 2018 12:00 PM Collison Cemetery Rd 2500 N Collison, IL 61831