Roberta Mayer

Mrs. Roberta Mae (Kennedy) Mayer, age 83, of Westville, IL, peacefully passed away Sunday morning, December 22, 2024 at her residence. She was born October 17, 1941, in Scottland, IL, a daughter of the late Henry Alfred and Cecil Elcinda (Carpenter) Kennedy.‍

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Jan Joseph Mayer; son, Jeffrey A. Mayer, and six of her siblings: Alfred L. Kennedy, Mary Alice McCarty, Charles A. (Amy) Kennedy, Sandra K. (Bobby) Martin, William H. (Lenny) Kennedy, Willis A. Kennedy. 

She is survived by her only living sister Shirley A. (Gene Cummings) Hitt; three daughters Holly B. (Floyd) Brewer, Roberta K. “Kem” (Anthony G.) Sparrow and Synthia A. “Sam” (Jeff Davis) Mayer Huff; Grandchildren Robert “Bobby” L. (Autumn) Pickerson, Kalipb R. Wiggins, Karena K. (Joseph) Compton and Kye L. (Steven) Paul-Ward, Anthony E. (Sarah) Sparrow, Logan D. Sparrow, Angel G. Sparrow, Lacy L. Sparrow, Michael D. (Kaliyah) Sparrow, Matthew Sparrow, David (Abigail) Huff, Jon (Sarah) Huff, and Mikaela Huff; fifteen and a half great-grandchildren and one great, great grandson; along with many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was currently attending Hope Community Fellowship, Georgetown, IL. and loved people watching. She also enjoyed swimming at the YWCA, playing softball, camping, arts and crafts, crocheting, playing card games and making words from people’s names. She held a few jobs when she was young such as babysitting, waitressing, and then eventually was a Headstart bus driver until her family voted for her to stay home. That’s when she turned into a professional volunteer at places like the Danville Area Food Pantry, SHARE Food and the Salvation Army. She was also very involved with Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Amatuer Radio, TOPS and WOW (War on Weight).

Roberta and Joe were married on October 31, 1964. Halloween became a giant part of their lives by going all out for the neighbor kids with block parties and haunted houses. She had a costume for every holiday and loved wearing them to entertain the kids. They really loved her witch costume the most.

Roberta has been described as being very creative, sweet, amazing, wonderful, kind, never had a bad word to say about anyone, but if you made her mad she would let you know it. Otherwise she was a very mild mannered woman. Strong willed and stubborn to a fault, she loved her family and friends fiercely.

Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2024, at Sunset Funeral Home in Westville, IL, with Pastor Steve Pearson officiating. Burial will follow in the Friends Chapel Cemetery in Scottland, IL. Visitation is from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2024 at the funeral home.