Loretta Kibler's Obituary
Loretta Margaret Kibler, 96, passed away peacefully in her home in Forsyth, Illinois, on Monday, March 23rd, 2026. She and her twin sister, Anna Lorraine, were born January 15th, 1930 on the family farm southeast of Nokomis, Illinois to Edward Francis & Marcella Margaret (Doughtery) Aylward.
Loretta graduated from St. Teresa High School in Decatur, Illinois, in 1947. She married William Oren Kibler on June 15th, 1949, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Champaign, Illinois. They began their married life in New Orleans, Louisiana, returning to central Illinois a few years later. Loretta was a devoted wife and mother who volunteered in various organizations, one of which was as the Girl Scout troop leader for Troop 378 in Tuscola, Illinois. She truly enjoyed sharing her love for crafting and teaching life skills to her troop of girls.
She served as president of the Chamber of Commerce for a period in Tuscola as well as during her time as a business owner in Pana.
During the time they made their home in Pana, Illinois, Loretta was the owner of L ‘n K Fabrics. She opened the shop in downtown Pana in 1975 and quickly grew it to a thriving fabric shop, offering a large selection of fabric and popular sewing classes.
Upon moving to Decatur, Illinois, Loretta enjoyed being a member of the Decatur Garden Club and Macon County Home and Community Education. She was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, where she served in a variety of ministries.
She will be remembered as a supportive mother and loving grandmother. She cherished making family gatherings and holidays special, with over-the-top decorations and special activities for the grandchildren. Her servant’s heart was a blessing to her church family and her natural leadership greatly benefitted every organization she was involved in.
Loretta is survived by her children: Michael William (Gloria) Kibler, Joseph Thomas Kibler, Lorraine Ann (Brian) Lynch, and Elizabeth Ann (Rodney) Moran; 9 grandchildren: Christina (Zachary) Hall, Janelle (Jake) Franklin, Jeremy Lynch, Michelle Lynch, Mark (Jordan) Lynch, LeAnn (Richard) Rosinski, David Kibler, Travis (Felicia) Dilley, Wayne (Delanie) Moran; and 18 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her twin sister, Anna Lorraine (at age 4); brothers, Edwin Aylward, Leon Aylward, Arthur Aylward, and Eugene Aylward; sisters, Rosemary Morris and Celene Smith; and great-granddaughter, Peyton Grace Lynch.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 3850 Lourdes Drive, in Decatur, Illinois. Visitation will be on Monday, March 30th from 6-8 PM at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Loretta’s dedication to serving the church with a memorial gift to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or support her love for the cats she had throughout her life with a donation to a feline rescue organization of your choice.
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