Alice Mann

Alice L. Mann Stonefort - Alice Louise Mann, 96, of Stonefort passed away Nov. 17, 2025, at Eldorado Nursing and Rehabilitation in Eldorado. She was born Aug. 13, 1929, in Peoria, the daughter of Donovan and Violet (Clemmons) Smith. She graduated from Rossville High School and worked as a secretary for the local lumber yard. She married George Mann on Oct. 1, 1950, at the Rossville United Methodist Church in Rossville. He preceded her in death on Aug. 26, 2010. She is survived by one daughter, Susan Agusti (Manuel) of Stonefort; one son, David Mann of Port Orange, Fla.; two grandsons, Jason (Gretchen) Mann of Sugar Grove and Tim (Nadine) Mann of Germany; and four great-grandchildren, Marshall, Scarlett, Niklas and Tyler. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Richard. Beyond her cherished roles as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, (who loved the holidays and gatherings with family and friends), she was well known for her three other key passions: horses, music, and crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Regarding horses, Alice was more than a successful trainer and competitor of American Saddlebreds; she was a trailblazer. During the 1960s and 1970s, a time when many Midwestern spouses were expected to remain solely at home, Alice defied convention and actively challenged rigid social expectations. She wasn't just participating; she was excelling at the highest level, securing six world championships in the pleasure horse division at the nation's most prestigious events, including the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville and the American Royal in Kansas City. This demonstrated a level of professionalism, dedication, and skill that broke gender barriers. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, after retiring from the horse show circuit and George from farming, they discovered the joys of trail riding. Embracing the smooth, "blissful gait" of Tennessee Walking Horses, they explored destinations across the Midwest before eventually settling down in the picturesque Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. In music, Alice was an exceptionally talented keyboardist, mastering both the piano and the organ-a skill noted as difficult even for "the most astute musicians." She shared her expertise by teaching at the Conservatory of Music in Terre Haute, Ind., for many years. Alice was more than just an avid crossword solver; she was a skilled critic of the puzzles themselves. Her expertise was so profound that she could recognize a puzzle's author by name simply based on the writing style and clues provided. She could also easily identify errors in subpar works. Alice was seldom stumped, a true testament to her exceptionally sharp intellect. Alice will be deeply missed by her friends and family, who remember her not only for her roles as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, but also for the vibrant spirit she brought to all aspects of her life and to those who knew her. Above all, they will remember the strength, passion, and astute intellect that defined her remarkable life. A visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Chris Quick officiating. Burial will follow in Mann's Chapel Cemetery, Rossville. Memorials may be made in Alice's honor to the Shawnee Trail Conservancy, P.O. Box 44, Eddyville, IL 62928 or to the Vermilion County Museum, ATTN: Mann's Chapel fund, 116 N. Gilbert Street, Danville, IL 61832. Please visit anderson-funeral-home.com to view Alice's eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences. Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.