Obituary of Kelley Jo (Davis) Liljegren

Kelley Jo Davis Liljegren, age 45 of Collinsville, IL, born June 25, 1971 in Carlinville, IL, passed away late Thursday evening, March 2, 2017 after a 13-year battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her husband, Mike, and her children, Hanna, Luke and Faith. Kelley graduated from Carlinville High School in 1989, where she played volleyball, basketball and ran track. Throughout her childhood and adult life, Kelley loved and was loved by her many loyal and fun-loving friends from Carlinville. She graduated from Illinois College in 1993, where she played point guard on the basketball team, was homecoming queen, earned a degree in mathematics and computer science, and married her computer science professor, Mike Liljegren, on June 5, 1993. Kelley loved and was loved by the Illinois College community of professors, students, teammates, and friends. After earning her MBA from Sangamon State University, Kelley began her high school teaching career at Palatine High School in Palatine, IL, where she was also an assistant coach for the Girls basketball team. Kelley loved and was loved by the many colleagues, students, and friends from the Palatine community, as well as her friends at Edgebrook Covenant Church in Chicago. In 2003, Kelley moved with her young family to Collinsville and began teaching and coaching basketball at Collinsville High School, where she could be closer to her parents and sisters. She started her battle with cancer in February of 2004. She loved to coach her children in basketball, and encouraged them in their academic and sports activities. Her positive attitude, devotion to her family and students, and kindness toward all made her an example and inspiration for those who have been lucky enough to know her. She loved and was loved by the many people in the Collinsville community, as well as her friends at St. John Evangelical UCC. We miss you, already, Kelley. We love you. Thank you for loving us all. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Clifford and Helen Kays of Arenzville, IL; and her paternal grandparents, Harold and Bunnie Davis of Carlinville, IL. She is survived by her husband, Mike; three children: Hanna, Luke and Faith; her parents, Dennie and Kathy Davis of Carlinville, IL; two sisters: Teresa Crum of Farmersville, IL and Kerry Lorton of Hardin, IL; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law … all of whom she loved. Visitation will be 3pm to 8pm on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 and 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at St. John Evangelical UCC, 307 West Clay Street, Collinsville, IL. Funeral service will be at 3pm on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the church with Rev. Katie Jo Bielke officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Collinsville, IL. Memorials may be made to Kahok Strong, Inheritance of Hope, and Jeffro’s Angels and will be accepted during the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home. For condolences go to www.barrywilsonfuneralhome.com