Loretta P. (Plasschaert) Chavez

Loretta P. Chavez, 94, of Geneseo, passed away on February 16, 2024, at Hillcrest Home-Geneseo. Visitation will be held from 10-11AM on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Geneseo Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM following the visitation at the funeral home. Reverend Stephen S. Engelbrecht will officiate. She will be laid to rest at North Cemetery-Geneseo. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Geneseo VFW Auxiliary 223 S. State St. Geneseo, IL 61254. Condolences can be left at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com

Loretta was born on March 17, 1929, in Geneseo, IL, the daughter of Clement and Marie (DeBoever) Plasschaert. She married Ramon A. Chavez in Bernillio, NM on October 12, 1946, and he preceded her in death in 2010. Loretta graduated from Geneseo High School Class of 1946 and along with Ray she owned and operated the former Frostop drive up in Geneseo. She was also the bookkeeper at Headman-Anderson Lumber Co. for 25 years. Loretta was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Atkinson, the Geneseo VFW Women’s Auxiliary, and the Atkinson American Legion Auxiliary. She was the first woman elected to the Geneseo City Council. She also served on the Henry County Housing Authority and the American Ex Prisoners of War. 

Those left to cherish her memory are daughters, Linda Mapes of Geneseo, and Toni (Barry) Hunter of Davenport, IA, daughter-in-law, Margaret Chavez of Geneseo, grandchildren; Lisa (Shawn) Conard, Michael (Mercy) Chavez, Angela Hays, Meredith (Andrew) Holt, Nicholas (Neva) Sable and Lezlee Hays, 12 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clement and Marie Plasschaert, husband, Ray Chavez, son, Michael Chavez, one sister Margaret Plasschaert, one brother, Robert Plasschaert and one granddaughter, Justine Chavez.