Rose Marie Sunderland, age 89

Rose Marie Sunderland, a talented and devoted teacher, singer, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on November 15, 2017 at Champaign Urbana Nursing and Rehab Center at age 89.

Rose was born on April 28, 1928, the daughter of Agnes and John Kibler, and grew up in Arcola, Illinois. She married Glenn W. Sunderland on June 24, 1951, in Charleston, Illinois. He survives.

Also surviving are her sons John (Libby) Sunderland of Mazama, Washington, and Bill (Krista) Sunderland of Champaign, Illinois; her grandchildren, Sara and Gloria Sunderland of Champaign, Illinois; her nephew Jon "Skip" (Sally) Kibler of Arcola, Illinois, and their extended family; and her sister-in-law Nita Sunderland of Washington, Illinois.

Rose was preceded in death by her older brother John Kibler, who was killed in action while serving as a bomber pilot in the U.S. Army in World War II.

Rose earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Eastern Illinois University. During her time as an undergraduate, she made dear friends at EIU that she stayed in touch with her entire life. Later in her career she attained a PhD in health education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Rose subsequently taught vocal music, physical education, and driver's education at Newton Community High School in Newton, Illinois, from 1959 through 1983. Rose contributed to the cultural enrichment of her students and the community by directing high school choral concerts, madrigal dinners, and stage musicals. She also coached the high school's first girls' track team after the passage of federal legislation Title IX in the early 1970's.

After retiring to Washington, Illinois, in 1983, Rose continued to serve as a substitute teacher in Peoria area schools through the early 2010's. She was a charter member of the Peoria Area Civic Chorale and sang alto with the group for nearly 30 years. Rose loved being on stage and was especially pleased to perform solos. She and Glenn also took up active hobbies in retirement, including running and biking. Rose ran in the "Race for the Cure" in Peoria and won first place in her age division.

Rose served as church music director at First United Methodist Church, East Peoria, conducting their vocal and bell choirs. After retiring from that position, she and Glenn joined First Federated Church in Peoria. In December 2012, they moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Urbana, Illinois, and enjoyed the new friends and caring staff they met there. In September 2017, Rose moved to Champaign Urbana Nursing and Rehab, Savoy, where she benefited from their kindness and specialized care.

Rose enjoyed musical performances of all kinds, and knew the lyrics to almost any hymn or Broadway song. She and Glenn became opera fans, frequently attending performances at the Peoria Civic Center and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the U of I campus.

Rose and Glenn loved traveling to Washington state to visit their son John and his wife Libby for hiking and skiing in the Cascade mountains. They also made frequent trips to Champaign to keep tabs on their granddaughters. Rose and Glenn enjoyed collecting antiques, especially those from early in the history of the United States. Rose also enjoyed returning to her hometown of Arcola for Raggedy Ann events and collected Raggedy Ann memorabilia.

Rose rarely sat down; she was always on the go and always interested in sharing stories with friends old and new. She also believed in presenting one's best self to the world, and began every day with flawlessly styled hair and make-up, fashionably dressed and ready to go.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 PM - Monday, December 4, 2017, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with service immediately following.  Private burial will be held the following morning.   A separate memorial service will be held in Peoria, Illinois, at a future date to be determined.

Condolences may be offered online at http://www.meyerfh.com . In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests making a contribution to the Illinois Summer Youth Music Scholarship Fund. To give online, go to giving.illinois.edu and in the search window, type "Youth Music". To send a donation by mail, make payment to the University of Illinois Foundation and write "ISYM Fund" in the memo section. As another option, the family suggests making a contribution to the American Parkinson Disease Association at www.apdaparkinson.org .