Alice Lorraine McMillan, 94, of Sycamore, IL, passed away peacefully, Monday, October 10, 2022, with her family at her side.

Born May 2, 1928, in Clare, Illinois to Edward and Eleanor (Shott) Clarner, she was raised in Sycamore, Illinois, graduated from Sycamore High School and married Bernard "Bernie" McMillan on May 1, 1948. "There's no place like Sycamore" rang true for Alice, and Sycamore was home.

Her family was her biggest joy in life. Alice loved spending time with her family and friends—preferably in person, but also by phone. She always made time when someone called with news, to catch up, or just say hello. Like clockwork, she would send handcrafted cards for birthdays, holidays and special occasions, including handwritten notes, to her children, in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. She enjoyed going to church, singing hymns, reading the Bible and teaching Sunday School, and her evenings always ended with prayers for family and anyone else in need. In addition to cooking for others, she enjoyed various crafts, transforming broken items, sewing, knitting and embroidery. She made many treasured quilts and afghans as gifts and enjoyed teaching these crafts to family members. She was an avid Cubs fan and an enthusiastic supporter at her children and grandchildren's sporting events.

An advocate for personal responsibility and hard work, Alice worked at various jobs after raising her three children. She would proudly tell people she had worked until reaching 80 years old. She was a tough individual with a soft spot in her heart for underdogs, outcasts, and those in need of a friend. There was always room for others at her table, and somehow, always more than enough food. She loved sharing stories and discussing local history and genealogies—and did so with remarkable accuracy and detail. In her later years, she survived cancer, two heart attacks and other health issues, but insisted she would remain living at home. With the support of her family and relatives that's what she did—until her last day. For these reasons and countless more, she will be greatly missed and not forgotten.

Alice is survived by her daughter, Connie (Robert) Martin and her two sons, Dale McMillan (Mary Jo Menolascino) and Michael McMillan (Anne); her grandchildren, Matthew Martin (Tiffany Lewis), Andrew Martin (Yesenia), Jessica Baack, Mark McMillan, Paul McMillan (Courtney) and Sara Shanfeld (Eric); her great-grandchildren, Jett and Dashel Baack, Cole and Jude McMillan, Lula Martin and Owen Shanfeld; her brother, Robert "Bob" Clarner, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brothers, Walter "Bud" and Ken Clarner; and her sisters, Carolyn "Tudie" Davis, Betty Mathey, Marilyn Quitno and Sally Clarner.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 13 from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Butala Funeral Home in Sycamore.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 14 at 11:00 AM at the Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore, IL. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, followed by a lunch at the Sycamore United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alice's memory in care of the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178

Information: ButalaFuneralHomes.com or 815.895.2833