Pawnee — Connie Jean Young, 65, of Pawnee, Illinois, went to heaven on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at home surrounded by her loving family. Connie was born Jan. 20, 1953, in Springfield, the daughter of Brice O. and Elizabeth J. (Betty) Reynolds Thomas. Connie grew up in Pawnee and graduated from Pawnee High School in 1971. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Thomas Young, on Nov. 26, 1972, at Pawnee United Methodist Church. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, her spoiled dogs Angie and Ivy and her guard cat Oscar. Connie will be greatly missed by her husband, Bob, of Pawnee; two daughters, Amanda Nicole (husband, Mike) Polistina of Pawnee and Lindsey Jeanelle (husband, Mark) Calhoun of Springfield; one son, Blake (wife, Abby) Young, of Pawnee; six grandchildren, Stone Thomas, Torsten Robert and Layton Michael Polistina, Adriana Nichole Calhoun, Ryder Clarke and Maren Blakely Young; one sister, Sandra Hill, of Pawnee; her mother-in-law, Norma Young, of Pawnee; and several nieces, nephews and extended family. Connie worked almost 19 years as a chief clerk at the University of Illinois Springfield's police department. She retired in 2010. She was a member of the Pawnee United Methodist Church for more than 45 years. Connie also was a very active member of Pawnee Women of Today, a nationwide community volunteer group. Connie and her husband, Bob, celebrated 45 years of marriage last November with a three-week summer trip to Lake Tahoe, the Napa Valley and San Francisco. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and trips with her high school girlfriends. She enjoyed volunteering at the Pawnee Food Pantry, serving food at St. John's Breadline and cooking for families at the Ronald McDonald House. More than anything, she enjoyed walking breast cancer 5Ks with her family, spending time with her dog Macy and giving golf cart rides to her beautiful grandchildren. Connie was full of life and loved her family with everything she had. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her family is grateful for the care Connie received from the Memorial Hospice Program. A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, at Pawnee United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at the church with Rev. Chuck Kurfman officiating. Burial will follow at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee. Contributions honoring Connie's memory may be made to the Pawnee Food Pantry, P.O. Box 304, Pawnee, IL 62558, or to Pawnee Women of Today, P.O. Box 553, Pawnee, IL 62558. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Connie Young.