M. Therese Rardin

CHARLESTON - M. Therese Rardin, passed away Friday, January 29, 2021 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2021 at St. Charles Boromeo Catholic Church, Charleston, with Father Braden Maher officiating. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery. She has requested that there be no visitation.  Arrangements: Harper-Swickard.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association or the Coles County Animal Shelter.

Therese was born in 1932 in Charleston, Coles County, IL the daughter of George William Whalen and Florence Josephine (Heaney) Whalen. She married Charles "Short" Rardin on December 7, 1953 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.  He preceded her in death, February 11, 1992. She is survived by a niece and nephew she raised; Janet Rardin and Randy (Rhonda) Rardin and two grandsons Jim (Jennifer) Richardson and Josh (Charity) Richardson and five great-grandchildren. Her brother George R. Whalen (Janet), as well as several nieces & nephews:  Danny (Sharon) Pearcy, Brenda Farris, Christina Pearcy, Deb (Rick) Branson, Connie Harris, Tammy (Ron) Popham, Steve (Jeannette) Shadle, and several great nephew and great nieces, also survive.  She was preceded in death by two sisters, Barbara Pearcy and Mary Frances Whalen. Therese graduated from Eastern Illinois University. She worked at the Circuit Clerk's office for seven years then taught school for 31 years. She taught first grade at Lowell School, and then first and second at Lincoln School in Mattoon. She retired in 1991. Therese was a lifelong member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. She held life memberships in the Retired Teachers Association, Illinois Education Association, National Education Association, and the Coles and Edgar County Genealogy Societies. Therese enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping, knitting, crocheting and genealogy. She belonged to a knitting group and several bridge groups. Therese attended exercise and other classes at Life Span. She kept busy, but was always ready to help anyone that needed her.

Online condolences may be left at: hsckfh.com