Pauline Lawhorn

Pauline Elizabeth Lawhorn, 91, of Rockton, IL died on March 6, 2021, in Rockford IL. Pauline was born October 10, 1929 in Rockford, to Samuel and Dorothea Patrick. She grew up in rural Winnebago, and graduated from Rockford East High School and Rockford College. She enjoyed working first as an interior designer, and later in a long career at Rockton Grade School. She was a 5th grade teacher for a few years and then a devoted Remedial Reading teacher.

Pauline was active in 4-H as a youth, and was an excellent seamstress. Over the years she elaborately decorated the inside and outside of nearly a hundred eggs ranging in size from robins’ to ostrichs’.

Pauline immersed herself from the time she got married until she was no longer able, in service to the Rockton United Methodist Church. Some of the activities and responsibilities there were: Chair of the Administrative Council, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Director of Christian Education, Sunday School teacher of nearly every grade including decades as the Adult Class teacher, member and chairperson of numerous committees including Evangelism, Nurturing, and Fellowship. She organized and carried out countless programs and special activities, and was the first to welcome visitors and new members.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, received a Distinguished Alumnus award from Rockford College, and enjoyed lifelong friendships from her early Rural Youth group.

After retirement, Pauline returned to her love of fashion and design, and amassed a collection of over 500 pieces of Vintage clothing, studying and displaying every year of trends from the Civil War to the 1950s eras. Her programs were in demand from historical societies, women's groups, and other community organizations.

In 1952, Pauline married Stanton Phelps, and they raised their son Bob and daughter Judie on the Phelps farm in Rockton. She married Robert Lawhorn in 1969.

Her parents, baby sister Judy, and brother Maury predeceased her. Pauline is survived by her husband Robert Lawhorn, her son, Robert Phelps (wife Amy), and her daughter, Judie Heinschel. Pauline is also survived by three grandchildren: Sarah Freedman (husband Samuel), Daniel Phelps (wife Erin), and Teke Heinschel (wife Rachel), along with four great-grandchildren: Jude and Cole Freedman, and William and Elijah Phelps. Pauline was devoted to, more than anything, loving and caring for her family.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:30 am Monday March 15, 2021 in Roscoe United Methodist Church 10816 Main St Roscoe, IL with Reverend Gloria Halvorsen officiating. Burial will be in Winnebago Cemetery in Winnebago, IL. A visitation, following COVID 19 guidelines of social distancing and wearing of masks, will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home - Rockton Chapel 767 N Blackhawk Blvd Rockton, IL from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday March 14, 2021.

The live stream of the funeral is: https://my.gather.app/remember/pauline-lawhorn.