It is with sadness we note the death of former Valler Bobbie Jane Denny, who passed away in Grafton, IL on July 28, 2011. Bobbie had been an active member of VALL and was president of the association from 2003-2004 before her retirement in 2006.
Below is a picture and obituary which were published in the Jacksonville Journal-Courier on July 30, 2011:
Bobbie Jane Denny, 63, of Grafton, and formerly of Roodhouse, died Thursday afternoon, July 28, 2011, at her home on the Mississippi River.
Born in Springfield Nov. 6, 1947, she was the daughter of the late James E. and Alene I. "Icky" (Sprague) Denny.Surviving are a daughter, Laura (husband, Bill) Ripol of Richmond, Va.; a son, Mark (wife, Randi) Dain of Fairfax, Va.; four grandchildren, Dain Ripol, Anne-Katharine Ripol, Derek Dain and Luke Dain; a brother, James G. Denny of Beardstown; and her niece, Lauren Denny of Roodhouse.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, World War II Army Air Corps veteran, retired Air Force Master Sgt. James Denny and Alene I. "Icky" Denny. A sister, Joan Carol Denny, who died in infancy, also preceded her in death.
She graduated as valedictorian of North Greene High School Class of 1965. Bobbie attended the University of Illinois receiving her undergraduate degree in psychology with honors and a master's degree in education. She then attended American University in Washington, D.C., where she obtained a Juris Doctorate degree. She later earned a master's degree in Library and Information Science from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Bobbie was a public school teacher and counselor in Illinois. In 1974, she moved to northern Virginia where she had a private law practice for over 20 years. She also was director of the Fairfax County Law Library for 10 years retiring in 2006, returning to Illinois in 2007.
In addition to many academic honors, successful careers in multiple professions and world travel, Bobbie took great pleasure in the finer things in life. She attended Roodhouse Methodist Church as a child, and after coming back to Illinois was a member of The Living Word Church in Alton. She enjoyed painting and was an avid golfer.
Bobbie loved animals, had many pets and was a horse enthusiast. She loved her childhood in Roodhouse, surrounded by friends and family growing up, many of whom were with her on the day she passed.
Visitation will be from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Roodhouse. Following visitation, graveside rites will be held at Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse. Memorials may be made to The Living Word Church. Condolences may be left online at http://www.airsman-hires.com/
