Paula Rae Rakers Obituary (1957 - 2011)

Paula Rae (Huffer) Rakers passed away Friday night, November 18, 2011 in Pana Community Hospital. Paula was born November 16th, 1957 in Springfield Memorial Hospital, Springfield, IL to Leonard Samuel and Doris Arleen (Pinkston) Huffer. She grew up in Shelbyville, IL and was a graduate of Shelbyville High School. She married Tom Rakers on April 28, 1979in the First United Methodist Church, Shelbyville. They have two children Lori (Rakers) Lynch and Josh Rakers. They made their home on Kitchell Street in Pana for 30 years and every Labor Day, had a huge crowd for the parade. Paula was known for working at Red Fox, Cummings Food Center in Pana and JB Vending in Rosamond, IL. Affectionately known to her close friends as "Boo Boo", Paula had a huge heart and loved her family very much. Surviving is her husband Tom, children Lori Lynch and husband Tim of Taylorville, son Josh Rakers of Pana and girlfriend Hilary Koester of Shumway, sister Sheree (Huffer) Chapman of Cowden and grandchildren Marissa, Ross, and Grant. Her aunts and uncles are Harold Pinkston, Joyce and Gene Johnson, Don and Nancy Pinkston and many cousins. Special close friends are Joni Perry, Nancy Swenny, Chris French, Linda Beaman, and "adopted" children Michaelle Maier and Bob Daugherty. Her father-in-law is Francis "Fritz" Rakers, Oconee. Brother and sister-in-laws are Jim and Linda (Rakers) Miller, Bob and Angie (Rakers) Sarver, Dave and Jackie Rakers, Mark and Maribeth Rakers. Nieces and nephews are Craig, Amy and Spencer Uphoff; Derek and Angie William; Brett and Kayla Chapman; Jamie, Tea, Jake, Logan and Lucas Sarver; Chrissy Sarver; Kelsey and Pat Gee; Ben Rakers; Maggie Rakers; and Shelby Rakers, and father-in-law, Francis "Fritz" Rakers, Oconee. Paula was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Doris Huffer, mother-in-law Dolores Rakers, and brother-in-law Danny Chapman. Paula will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Funeral Information Funeral mass will be held Wednesday, November 23, 2011 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Pana, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Rodney Schwartz officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home with rosary at 8:00 p.m.