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Funeral: 10 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2015, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Elmwood Cemetery
Karen Jean Halsey, age 54, of Flora, Illinois, passed away at 11:55 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2015, in Pike County, Missouri.
Karen was born on January 12, 1961 in Champaign, Illinois, the daughter of Verlin and Velma (Worlow) Ruckman. She married C.L. Halsey on May 19, 1979 in Flora.
Karen and C.L. lived their lives by the motto “Faith, Family and Friends”. She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Flora where she remained active, surrounded by many close friends. Karen also loved spending time with her children, Teresa (Chad) and Kevin (Hillary), and always looked forward to traveling to spend time with them. She enjoyed traveling, taking family vacations, and spending time with her grandchildren, Madelyn, Emelia, and Tyler, whom she loved very much. As a lifelong resident of Flora, Karen made many lasting friendships. She looked forward to traveling to the beach each winter with the R&B Travel Club, playing Bunco with her girlfriends during the week, and took comfort in confiding in her “Good Grief Girls”. Karen was the City Clerk at the City of Flora where she had been employed for the past 14 years. Her other memberships included Gamma Mu sorority, Clay County Cancer Crusaders, and Relay for Life.
Karen is survived by her mother: Velma Ruckman of Flora; sister: Shirley Rigby and husband Robert of Hopewell, VA; two children: Teresa (Halsey) Grueter and husband Dr. Chad of Coralville, IA, and Kevin Halsey and wife Hillary of Tamaroa, IL; along with three grandchildren: Madelyn Michelle, Emelia Halsey, and Tyler William Grueter.
She was preceded in death by her father: Verlin Ruckman, and husband: C.L. Halsey.
A funeral service for Karen Halsey will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2015, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society or Clay County Cancer Crusaders and will be accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.frankandbright.com.
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
May 31, 1946 - Apr 20, 2024
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
So sorry to hear of this. Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen's family.
My heart goes out to her family. May God comfort you now and always.
Teresa & Chad and Kevin & Hillary, our deepest sympathy to you and your families at the passing of your Mom. We are so saddened by your loss. Even though it was 35 years ago when we were neighbors on Austin Ave., I have good memories of the fun times our families shared. I was happy when we returned to Flora in 1999 and I resumed my friendship with your Mom and Dad and introduced them to Cas. My heart aches for you both and your children. I pray that your memories give you comfort and that God gives you strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Godspeed on your journey, Karen.
Prayers being said the family. Karen was a wonderful person and loved by many.
Our Love and Sympathy is extended to you Kevin and Teresa and all of your families. We loved Karen and C. L. so much. Keeping you in our prayers
Teresa and Kevin, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your families. Karen was one of my students at Lincoln School and was always a wonderful person both then and in later life. She always had a smile and friendly greeting when I went through the drive-up window at City Hall. I know this is truly a traumatic situation and great loss in your lives. I do pray that God will give you strength and comfort now and in the days head.
Our sincerest condolences to the Halsey family. May the loving arms of our dear Lord God embrace you to comfort you and guide today and everyday.
Hugs to all. She will be sadly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our sympathies and prayers for the families.
Teresa and Kevin, your mom was a good person. She will be missed by so many.Sending hugs to you and your family.
God be with you Teresa and Kevin.
Teresa and Kevin, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom was such a sweet, kindhearted loving person. The Clay County Cancer Crusaders have lost an amazing committee person. The whole community has lost a wonderful person. God has gained an amazing angel.
Rest in peace Karen.
We are so saddened to hear of Karen's untimely passing. Our hearts ache for Kevin and Hillary, Teresa and her family and Karen's extended family. Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Your mom was always generously kind to me, never without a sweet or encouraging word.
My prayers go out to the Halsey family! I was privileged to have known Karen and spent a few years working with C.L. and Clarence on the railroad! May God comfort you during this time!
To all of the Halsey family, Karen always had a smile that lit up the room. She was so caring to all around her. Arms of comfort go out to you all. Keep all of your memories going. Comfort of peace. Dennis Hampsten family
Prayers of comfort and strength for you. My heart breaks for you and all of Karen's family and friends. Her smile was contagious as was her fun loving spirit. She was always ready for our next adventure, she will be missed so much.
Kevin and Teresa, your mother was such a good friend and a wonderful Christian lady. We have shared so much in the last few years. She was a bubbly, happy person and so much fun to be around no matter what we were doing or where we went. I miss her so much. You all will be in my prayers.
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Karen Halsey. Our thoughts and prayers are with her entire family throughout this difficult time.
Kevin, Teresa and families, My heart goes out to all of you. Such a tragic loss. Your mother was a wonderful friend and loved by many. We shared many good times and laughs together that I will always remember. Cherish all your many memories as you go through this time of grief.
Thoughts and prayers to the entire family. Karen always had a smile on her face. Always had time to say hello! She will be greatly missed!
May god be with the family today God bless
Our prayers are with your family!
Thinking of you during this difficult time. Your mother will truly be missed.
Kevin, we are so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Too sad for words. So sorry for the great loss.
MAY GOD REST YOUR SOUL, YOUNG LADY. I WILL MISS MY FRIEND AND FORMER NEIGHBOR. PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.
God Bless the Family, so sorry for your loss. Such a tragedy! Your mother & dad were such close friends.
I am so sorry to hear about Karen's tragic death. She was a third grader in my class room at Lincoln School and a very good student. I know she will be missed by many whose lives she touched.
May God wrap his loving arms around you to bring comfort during this most difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Thoughts and prayers with the family. Karen will be missed by many. She always had a smile on her face.
So incredibly sorry for your loss. She was an amazing lady. Sending many prayers and thoughts your way during this difficult time.
Teresa and Kevin and families, my heart is broken for the loss of a very dear friend, but it cannot begin to compare to your pain. We had lunch every week and all we talked about was our children and she loved you all so much. She was one of the kindest, sweetest and most wonderful ladies I have ever known. The place she held in my heart will never be replaced, but I know I will see her again someday. My prayers are with you both and your sweet families. God Bless you all. Teresa, I am praying for you every day that God heals you completely.....the last thing your mother gave me was a Team Teresa bracelet......I wear it every day.
Karen, you will be missed. You were a sweet soul with a great smile. RIP
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We are so sorry for your loss.
No doubt where you are today, always such a kind soul.
Prayers to the family. I have known Karen for along time and I am sure she is up there hugging C.L. Right now
Theresa and Kevin, your mother was a very sweet person and one who cared about others. She will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you and your families.
Karen I will miss you so. We had a special bond. You married my little brother. We was blessed to have CL and Karen stand up with Mike and me at are wedding. she gave us Treasa a sweet little girl to love so much. Then we got Kevin that only added so much more love in the family. Karen even managed to have Kevin on my birthday. We grew older together in the family and shared a great deal of losses Karen was strong loving caring and giving woman that will be greatly missed. All my love and prays to Treasa and Kevin. Family Forever
Teresa & Kevin ~ I am so very sorry for your loss. I always loved your mom and dad. Karen was such a sweet lady. I absolutely hated to hear this. I pray that God gives you both strength and comfort in the days ahead, and that He is able to bring peace to your hearts. Fly with the angels Karen! You will be missed by all who knew you.
Sending our condolences to your family ..I came to know your parents by working with them thru the ACS..They both were the most loving caring people I have ever met. Praying for peace and comfort for your families.
Teresa and Kevin and the entire family we were so saddened to hear about the loss of your mother. There wasnt really a day that didn't go by that we didnt see her in passing by her house in Raintree. She was a sweet person full of life and enjoying her family and grand kids. she will be missed by all of us in Raintree.
We just visited with Karen and Bruce last Tuesday evening. We were so saddened to hear of their tragic accident. We traveled with Karen and always enjoyed her warmth and pleasant personality. We extend our sympathy and pray for God's watch over all of you.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Kevin and family, We are so sorry for your loss. May GOD give you all comfort and blessings. You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all.
So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you. She was a sweet lady. class of 1979 lost a great classmate.Your all in r prayers
We are so sorry for the loss of Karen. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will be missed.
Prayers to the family. So sorry for your loss.
Was sorry to hear of Karen sudden loss of life. I first met Karen and C. L years back at line-dance classes. She was a friendly, out going person. May the family and friends find Peace and Comfort in her fond memories
Teresa and Kevin God is in His Heaven Bless you and yours Uncle Clyde
The physical world most definitely lost a beautiful soul. She will be missed by so many. May God provide as much comfort and happiness as possible during this difficult time. Prayers, positive vibes, and hugs sent to all family, friends, and loved ones.
Praying for all the families. I know that we do not understand but God will be your strength and support. Hold on to God and to ask him for help and I pray that he will wrap his arms around you and bring you comfort and peace. Karen was a great person. I loved seeing her smiling face when I was at city hall. May God Bless you all. Anita
Praying for the family.
My deepest condolences to your family. May God bring you light at this time of darkness. You're in my prayers and my heart. Bless you!
We are praying for all of Karen's family. We are just at a loss how to deal with the loss of Karen and Bruce. They were so much fun. Karen was a lady anyone would be proud to have as a friend. Kevin and Teresa, we loved your mom as a part of our family. She was such a blessing.
Theresa and Kevin, I'm so sorry for your loss of your mom. She was one of the nicest and kindest ladies I ever met.
Teresa and Kevin I have so many good memories of your Mom. She was a wonderful lady. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. She will be greatly missed by everyone.
Very sorry for your loss. Karen was a very nice lady. She joined our sorority a few years ago and it was nice to get to know her.
Kevin & Teresa and families - our hearts go out to you during this difficult time. We thank God for allowing us to be a part of the Halsey family as you were growing up and for the wonderful inspiration your parents were to us as a young couple. They made such an impact on so many. We pray that God will give you strength to carry on their legacy.
From, Buddy Trawick and Betsy Luttrell Trawick We send our Heart Felt Condolences to the Family and Friends of Karen's. Our Prayers are sent to all of You hoping that the Lord will be with you through these Times. May God be with you Always.
So sorry for the loss of your mom. You and your families are in our hearts and prayers.
TO THE FAMILY, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS .SHE WAS SUCH A KIND AND LOVING PERSON .PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY
A more caring,loving person cannot be found Rest in peace sweet lady.
Teresa, Kevin,so deeply sorry to hear about your Mother.I pray you are remembering all the love and happiness ,they will always be with you.You had two very special and loving parents.God Bless You All.
Teresa and Kevin, there aren't enough words that could express our sympathy and our sadness. We considered it to be the greatest privilege to be called Karen and C.L. Halsey's friends. They may have been friends by title but they will always be family in our hearts. Our lives have been truly blessed. We love you and pray that peace will come in time.
Sorry for your loss. Karen was a wonderful lady and a good neighbor. I have known Karen many years. Prayers for the family. Blessings
Teresa and Kevin- Please accept our deepest condolences. May your many wonderful memories of your Mom help you through this time. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Karen was such a nice lady.
Karen was an amazing childhood friend. I was saddened to hear of her accident. God Bless each of her children, grandchildren, mother and sister. May he comfort you all at this time.
Prayers, Sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss..prayers to all
Our hearts are broken!! We are in such disbelief that we have lost such a dear friend. Karen was the sweetest and most kind hearted person that I know. Ours prayers go out to Teresa, Kevin and her other family members. Prayers for all of friends which she had many. Heaven has gained another angel...
Our family will continue to pray for strength and guidance during this time. So sorry for your loss may God bless you and keep you and your families.
Our family will continue to pray for strength and guidance during this time. So sorry for your loss may God bless you and keep you and your families.
I had the pleasure of working for Karen, as well as, C.L. A kind, compassionate family who lived life and loved life. What a legacy both of them have left behind. Teresa and Kevin have been blessed by having parents who loved them and taught them values in life. I still miss C.L and will miss talking and seeing Karen each day. Thoughts & Prayers everyday to stay strong and carry on their Legacy.
Teresa Family & Kevin Family: We are so sorry for your loss, our hearts & prayers are with you, Your mother was a special lady, a friend, & our sister in Christ, who we will miss so much. All our Love,
Karen was such a nice lady. She always had a smile for everyone. We will look forward to rejoicing with her in heaven.
Teresa & Kevin & families, We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for strength and comfort for you all.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
