Lavonne T. Pence, 93, of Lomax, Ill., passed away at 8:35 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, Mo.
Lavonne was born February 15, 1932 in Kane, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Herbert and Lillie Carlson. She was a 1950 graduate of Dallas City High School. On November 26, 1950 she married R. Burr Pence in Dallas City. After their marriage, the couple lived in North Carolina while Burr was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. She returned to the Lomax area, where she would live all of her life. She was a homemaker, taking pride in caring for her children and later her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also proudly fostered many children throughout her life.
She and Burr were founding members of Grace Bible Church in Dallas City. She was active in children’s ministry, helping with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She also volunteered with the Dallas City Food Pantry.
Survivors include one son: Greg Pence of Lomax; four grandchildren: Brad Willits of New London, Iowa, JeAnne (Adam) Hurley of Jerseyville, Illinois, Erica Lowe of Rock Island, Illinois and Robert (Lori) Pence of Medora, Illinois; eleven great-grandchildren: Lucas Willits, Timothy Willits, Kaylan Willits, Alex Hurley, Kiki Hurley, Brooklyn Lowe, Scarlett Lowe, Persephone Cooper, Zack Weber, Zoey Weber and Bobbie Pence; five cousins: Loraine (Julian) Sparrow, Eugenia Ann Carter, Amanda Strom, Andrew Carter and Monica Bolduc and two nephews: Bryan (Elaine) Pence and Steven (Karen) Pence.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Burr and her daughter: Denise Willits.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
The funeral service for Mrs. Pence will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the Grace Bible Church in Dallas City. Burial will follow in the Carman Cemetery, Carman, Illinois.
A memorial fund has been established for the Grace Bible Church.