Glenda Sue Anstine

After 85 years filled with an extraordinary life, Glenda Sue (Kaufman) Anstine transitioned peacefully to be with the Lord in the afternoon of May 9, 2022.
Her surviving family looks forward to continuing to live out Sue’s generous spirit for generations to come.  Doug (Beverly) resides in Discovery Bay, California with their daughters, Jacqueline and Colette.  Susan (Scott) Eiler lives in Novi, Michigan with their daughters Stephanie, Madeline and Lizzie.  When Sue’s brother and sister-in-law died, the Anstines also raised their niece and nephew.  Patti (John) Sloca resides in Kenosha, Wisconsin and has three children Chris, Wesley (Katie) and Brianna, along with grandson Elijah.  John (Nancy) Kaufman resides in Manteno, Illinois and also has three children Emily (Mike), Haily and Ethan (Leigha).  Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Robert “Bob” Anstine, her parents, Glenn and Genetha Kaufman, her brother, Robert Kaufman and great niece, Naya Sloca. 
Sue was born on October 31, 1936 in Valparaiso, Indiana.  In 1950, her family moved to Washington, Illinois.  After graduating from Washington Community High School in 1954, Sue headed to Western Illinois University (WIU) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1960 and was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. Sue’s lifelong career as an educator and community leader began with her first teaching position at Abbott Junior High School in Elgin, Illinois where she taught English, reading and speech.  It was during this time she was introduced to her husband by sorority sister and Bob’s cousin, Nancy Russell Jewison.  For nearly 30 years she taught school, including speech and language arts at Edison Junior High in Macomb.  The last 16 years of her career she spent teaching G.E.D. in the Illinois Department of Corrections in Galesburg and Taylorville.  She found this fulfilling as she was focusing on her students’ future rather than their past.  
Her passions included education, the arts, genealogy and the local library where she donated her time and resources to serve her local community and beyond in a variety of capacities.  She served on the Western Illinois Bureau of Cultural Affairs and was the first president of the WIU Performing Arts Society.  For 18 years, Sue was a member of the Illinois Arts Council.  After retirement, she was elected to the Macomb Public Library Board and was excited to be involved in the renovation of the library a number of years ago. She was also a long time member of P.E.O. International, a philanthropic organization.
 She was the genealogist of the family and enjoyed being part of the McDonough County Genealogical Society.  She used her skills to find the link that enabled her to attend The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois meetings with her husband.  She also operated a wedding photography business with her husband and sold Apple computers to the educators in the early days of the Mac computer. 
Sue’s family was one of her greatest passions. When not traveling the country to attend  her eleven grandchildren’s activities, her and Bob’s home in Macomb, Illinois could be found filled to the brim at holiday times with family gathering from multiple states.  Sue’s laughter and fullness of life was ever-present in their home.  Sue enjoyed traveling, socializing with her bridge club friends, attending jazz concerts, music festivals, sporting and cultural events at WIU, and sustaining lifelong friendships. She did most of these fun activities alongside her beloved husband Bob.  Sue was also a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Macomb.  Sue’s spirit lives on in each and every person she’s interacted with. May we continue to foster kindness, compassion, and generosity to one another in her memory.
Visitation at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home on Thursday, May 26 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, May 27 at 11:00 am at Wesley United Methodist Church of Macomb with Reverend Dr. Scott Grulke officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Macomb Public Library, Wesley United Methodist Church, or WIU Foundation.
You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.

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