Millie L. Koppelman, 86, of DeKalb, Illinois, formerly of Rushville, Illinois, died on April 21, 2023, at the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

Millie was born on April 4, 1937, in Peoria to Cairl and Helen (Dunn) Ryan.  She married Donald Edward Koppelman on June 18, 1955, in Beardstown, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on December 7, 1991.

Millie was primarily a homemaker who devoted her life to her family.  She loved gardening, painting, reading, playing cards, collecting lighthouses, writing poetry, and cooking delicious meals for her family.  One of her favorite desserts to make was her famous apple pie.  Reading was one of her passions and she enjoyed going to the library. She loved playing cards and was part of a bridge group that played weekly. Millie loved to entertain and host many family functions.

After her husband's passing in 1991, she moved from Rushville to Springfield, Illinois, and later moved to Florida to be near her youngest daughter.  In 2012, she published a book of poems and recipes. The title of her book is "Millie's Rhymes & Recipes".  Most of the book's illustrations were done by her beloved grandchildren.   Millie won Honorable Mention in a poetry contest and was published in "Great Poems of the Western World".  In 2015, she moved to Genoa, Illinois to be near her oldest daughter. She had a love of old lighthouses, which she enjoyed painting, and had a beautiful collection.  In 2018, Millie suffered a stroke.  After recovery, she moved into Heritage Woods Assisted Living, in DeKalb, Illinois.

Millie was a member of Saint John's Lutheran Church in Sycamore, Illinois.  She loved God and her family, and these were her greatest joy in life. Anyone that knew Millie described her as a bright shining light.  She lit up the room with her warm smile and kind heart.  She will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Survivors include daughters; Karen (Gary) Baker of Sycamore, Illinois, and Kris (Scott) Cason of Crawfordville, Florida.  Grandchildren; Jason (Jocelyn) Robbins of DeKalb, Illinois, Jeremy (Cassandra) Robbins of Sugar Grove, Illinois, and Joshua (Jessica) Robbins of Sycamore, Illinois.  Courtney (Reid) Strickland of Crawfordville, Florida, Caitlyn Cason of Crawfordville, Florida, and Matthew Cason of Crawfordville, Florida.  Great grandchildren; Jackson, Colten, Ethan, Norah, Jaelyn, and Paisley.  Sisters; Carolyn Wenneborg of Springfield, Illinois and Mary Beets of Aurora, Colorado.  As well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cairl and Helen Ryan and her Half-sister, Patsy Greer.

A celebration of life will be held at Saint John's Lutheran Church in Sycamore, Illinois on May 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Mummie presiding.  A burial service will be held in Rushville City Cemetery in Rushville, Illinois on May 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements were entrusted to Slater-Butala Funeral Home, 132 W. Main St., Genoa, Illinois 60135. Memorials can be sent to the funeral home on behalf of Millie L. Koppelman.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com