On April 26, 2023, Una Marie Mahan (Potter), 84, of Potomac, got her wings and went to walk with the angels. Una was born June 16, 1938, in Danville, the daughter of the late Andrew Bert and Cora B. (Vanvickle) Potter. She leaves behind a daughter Kim Sherman of Westville; her son, Steve (Joni) Newnum of Penfield; four grandchildren, Stephanie (Nathan) McNeese, Kyle (Keri) Newnum, Kirsten (Jake) Jurczak and Isaiah Newnum; five great-grandchildren, Bridgette and Cassidy McNeese, Mattisyn Newnum, and Myleigh and Austyn Jurczak. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Robert “Bob”, Duane, and Alan Potter; and special friend, Clyde West.
Una graduated from Henning High School in 1956. Through her younger years of schooling, Una was most proud of her win at the Sectional Spelling Bee in 1952, and her award as a Henning High School DAR. After high school, Una took several college classes at Brown’s Business College. Una worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections as the Office Coordinator in Education from 1992 through her retirement in 2010. Una was a dedicated worker, she received recognition as the Danville Correctional Center Employee of the Year in 2010 for her pleasant demeanor, professionalism, and dedication to her duties.
Anyone who was lucky enough to get to know Una referred to her as their “Grandma”, and she very much enjoyed that. Una loved treating everyone like they were her very own grandkids. She routinely handed out candy or snacks from her bottomless purse, often carrying around a crowd favorite- her homemade popcorn balls. When anyone close to her was ill, she would show up at their door to nurse them back to health with her homemade chicken and noodles. She was her grandchildren’s biggest fan and supporter, never missed a single event between the three of them. She was an avid sports fan and could be found in her recliner cheering on her “Cubbies”, Fighting Illini, or watching a horse race. She enjoyed oil painting, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, slot machines, card games, outings with her dear friend Loretta Fox, and had a strong eye for correct grammar. Una was strong-willed and stubborn, but those traits got her through life’s greatest challenges. She was also witty and fun, always quick with a funny saying, rhyme, or joke to make everyone laugh.
A Celebration of Una’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2023, at Blurton Funeral Home, Potomac, with Pastor Randy Holden officiating. She will be laid to rest following the services in Johnson Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made in Una’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice. The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Una’s life. Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.
