Virginia Alhorn

Virginia Antonette Szymanski Alhorn, (age 91) peacefully left our earthly world on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend to many, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Melvin after 46 years of marriage, along with precious family members.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1930 to Sidney and Mary Szymanski, Virginia doted on her two younger sisters Dorothy and Leona. Together they loved to cook, sing, dance, and laugh. Virginia's love for children inspired her to become a teacher and she graduated from Chicago's Teachers College in 1952, after marrying Melvin on a snowy February 3rd of 1951. As a Marine Mel was stationed in Southern California and Virginia enjoyed the beautiful climate and new friends that became her 'California family.' For many years Virginia and Melvin were active members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Redlands. Along with teaching in the public schools, Virginia often taught Sunday School, and enjoyed the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. In the summer of 1998, through the Lutheran Hour Ministries, she traveled to the mountains of Wisla-Jawornik, Poland, and taught English and Reading at their Rainbow Harvest Youth Camp. Another summer she hosted teens from Japan. Virginia and Melvin moved to Danville, Illinois in 1971 to be closer to family, and Virginia specialized in Reading and earned a Masters of Science Education in 1977 from Eastern Illinois University. She also earned her administrative credentials and led Danville's Title I Reading program for a number of years. Immanuel Lutheran Church and friends from District 118 were important parts of her life. After Melvin's unexpected passing, Virginia returned to her home in Redlands where she became a substitute teacher, a Smiley Library tutor, and a teacher at Crafton Jr. College. In her spare time, she grew beautiful roses and geraniums, and baked lemon bars from her favorite lemon tree. Her grandchildren brought her great joy and she specialized in baking 'bug' cookies with them.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Diana (Peter) Siessel; son, Michael (Lee Albanese) Alhorn; grandchildren, Kristin (Rebecca) Siessel, Cameron Siessel, Christian (Jocelyn) Morris; goddaughter, Wendy Lindemann; and many other nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Officiating will be Pastor Yonkers. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1505 Ford St. Redlands, CA 92373.

Please join Virginias family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Services Visitation Wednesday December 29, 2021 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Funeral Service Wednesday December 29, 2021 10:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834