Rebecca L. Rench
Rebecca L. Rench of Nashville departed this life at her residence in the community that she loved on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. She had attained the age of 68 years, 8 months and 13 days.
Rebecca was born on October 23, 1954, in Pittsfield, IL, the daughter of Billie Wintjen and Patsy (Howdeshell) Wintjen. She was united in marriage to Kevin Rench on June 23, 1979, at Grace United Methodist Church in Nashville, and welcomed a daughter, Elyse on March 8, 1984, and they survive her passing.
Rebecca was a 1972 graduate of East Alton-Wood River High school and furthered her education at Blackburn College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from SIUE in 1977. In 2000, she earned a Master of Arts in Instructional Strategies from Rockford College.
Rebecca was a devoted wife and mother. She taught English, Speech and Journalism at Nashville Community High School for 33 years beginning in 1977. She loved her students and spoke endlessly about their accomplishments with her family. Teaching brought her great joy, and she impacted many lives throughout her career. She felt her students were a part of her extended family and took great pride in being a Nashville Hornet. She was a gifted writer of poetry and short stories; many of which were published. She was known to honor many retired NCHS employees with a poem when they retired, which they deeply cherished.
Rebecca loved music, singing and dancing. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Nashville where she spent many years in the church choir and would always be singing on family vacations and to her beloved daughter Elyse. She was a life-long learner and loved reading in her spare time. Her quick wit, infectious smile and creative mind were gifts to all that knew her. She exuded love, kindness and compassion to her family, friends, students and community. To know her, was to love her.
There will be a little less light in this world without her, but her genuine spirit will never be forgotten. Unfortunately, Rebecca suffered from several chronic illnesses throughout her life. Her family takes solace knowing that she is no longer in pain and her legacy will live on through the many lives she impacted.
Left to mourn her passing is her husband, Kevin Rench of Nashville; a daughter, Elyse Rench of O’Fallon; mother-in-law, Earlene Rench of Alton; sister-in law, Becky Wintjen of Yukon, OK; brother-in law, Mark (Diane) Rench of Brighton, IL and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law, Thomas Rench, a brother, Mark Wintjen, a sister, Victoria Wintjen, two nephews Billy Tellez and Jeremy Wintjen and a great niece, Mabel Grace Rench.
Funeral services will be held at the Campagna Funeral Home in Nashville on Friday, July 14th at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Leanne Noland officiating. Private burial will take place in the Masonic Cemetery in Nashville.
Friends may call at the Campagna Funeral Home in Nashville on Thursday from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and on Friday from 8:00 A.M. until the service hour.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to At Home Health Care Services of Sparta Community Hospital and Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com.
