Colleen Joyce Weller

 

Colleen Joyce Weller, neé Taylor, passed away peacefully at the age of 95, on March 17, 2023. A collector of four-leaf clovers and a firm believer in the luck they hold, the irony of her passing on St. Patrick’s Day is not lost on family members.

Colleen was born in Carlinville, July 16, 1927, to Willard Berryman Taylor and Emma Francis Ciochetti.

She was the eldest of four siblings, all raised in Carlinville.

Colleen loved to cook and came by it honestly, from her Italian mother, and her grandfather C. O. Taylor, the founder of the local Carlinville Taylor’s Chili Parlor.

Most of her professional years were spent working at the Illinois Secretary of State, from which she retired in 1987 after 30 years of service.

Colleen loved to spend time outdoors. She was an avid fisherman and a gifted gardener. Her fishing took her to remote lakes along the U.S.-Canadian border, where she enjoyed the wildlife. Her love for animals was notable.

Those who sat at her kitchen table knew that she had an affinity for lottery scratch-offs and Edgefield cigarettes. Colleen wrote poetry, never missed a Cardinals game, and could be found feeding birds. Her home was often filled with the music of Italian American crooners like Perry Como and Frank Sinatra.

Colleen is survived by her sons, C. Alan (Linda) Weller, of Carlinville, Gregory E. (Donna) Weller, of Celebration, FL; grandchildren, Sara (David) Way of Carlinville, Tracey (Andy) Pisarski of Itasca, Kim (John) James of Celebration, FL, Elizabeth (Eric) Tawfall of Presque Isle, ME, Scott Weller of Williamsville, Kurt (Sue) Gwillim of Springfield, Mark (Theresa) Gwillim of Carlinville; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Billy Taylor, Robert “Bobby” Taylor, Alyce “Sissy” Talkington, and niece, Jill Ann Talkington.

She will lay to rest in New Calvary Cemetery in Carlinville at a private graveside service.

Kravanya Funeral Home of Gillespie is in charge of arrangements.