Pauline F. Paxton

Pauline Faye Paxton was born on January 9, 1929, in Charleston, IL to parents John “Willis” and Florence (Dunifer) Lashbrook. Pauline passed away on October 25, 2025, at Allure Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll, IL, surrounded by love from close family.

Pauline grew up in Charleston, IL. She worked for General Electric in Morrison, IL, and Atwoods in Mt.Carroll, IL. Pauline married Arlo Paxton on July 19, 1947 in Atkinson, IL. Together they had a son, James Paxton, and a daughter, Corine (Paxton) Charles. Her family grew over the years with grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids. Pauline and Arlo farmed in Stockton, IL. They decorated their house with an award-winning Christmas lights display and collected antique tractors.

Pauline was a crafter, baker, and teacher at heart. She sewed countless Halloween costumes, baked and decorated elaborate birthday cakes, and personalized anything she could paint. If the craft store didn’t have it, Pauline would make it herself. Pauline spent lots of time with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids teaching them how to read, ace a spelling test, and create an impressive school project.

Always keeping busy, she spent hours putting together puzzles and working diligently through word search books. She was proud of her extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers, gathered from garage sales and gifted by family and friends.

She had a passion for decorating for the holidays. She adored Christmas lights, dancing Santas, and flying witches. As she moved from her home in Stockton to Allure Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll, this passion for decorating continued. She loved to show her friends her themed room full of seasonal décor. It made her light up.

She was spirited and caring. You always knew where you stood with Pauline. She was known for her eccentric license plate titled “Witch 35.” To those who knew her, this was a term of endearment. When Pauline set her mind to something, she made it happen.

To remember Pauline, decorate for the holidays, bake a cake for a family member, create something original, or put a witch hat on.

Pauline is survived by her son, James (Maria) Paxton, and her daughter, Corine (Lee) Charles; her grandkids, Terry (Christy) Charles, Trish (Jerry) Oppold, Lacey (James) Mason, and James A. Paxton; her great grandkids Brooke (Grant) Pierce, Kayla Paxton, David (Morgan) Craig, Olivia Charles, Aubrey Charles, Caroline Mason, and Eleanor Mason; and her fifth generation great-great-grandkids, Marshall and Jordan Pierce and Carter Dunfee. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arlo, parents, and nine siblings.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, at the funeral home, as well as one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.