Celeste Faber, 74, of LaMoille, passed away, April 9, 2023 in her home after battling Parkinson's Disease for over 20 years. She was surrounded by her husband, children and her caregiver of 7 years, Carla Schlesinger.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (Church on the Hill), Princeton with Rev. Wayne Derber officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Cremation rites will be accorded after the funeral and private burial will be at Clarion Cemetery at a later date.

Celeste was born March 2, 1949 in Mendota to Clifford and Edith (Wagner) Bauer. She married Dennis Faber on June 27, 1970 at Zion Lutheran Church of Clarion.

Celeste graduated from LaMoille High School and University of Illinois. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she became the choir conductor at Clarion Lutheran Church and later became the choir conductor at St. John's Lutheran church in Mendota. After having her children she began her career in music education and taught in numerous districts including LaMoille, Walnut and Tiskilwa over her 25 year teaching career. She was passionate about both church music and the numerous students she taught both vocally and instrumentally. Many friends and family will recall the countless concerts, performances, solos and ensembles she helped prepare musicians for. Some of her greatest works of love were the numerous "A Night With...." concerts she created where the St. John's (Mendota) choir and local musicians would showcase the works of a specific composer.

Celeste especially enjoyed traveling out west to see the Rocky Mountains, a love that began in her childhood, continued to her honeymoon in Estes Park and then to several trips with Dennis and her children. She and Dennis enjoyed experiencing the beauty of many national parks in the West including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier and Rocky Mountain National Parks.

While Parkinson's Disease limited her teaching years and ability to travel, she continued to enjoy her home outside of LaMoille where she'd watch the birds from the porch, observe Dennis working in the yard or mowing the lawn, play with her three dogs and share laughs and stories with visiting friends and family. Over the years her faith was one of the most important parts of her life and she enjoyed sharing it and her musical talents with the congregation at St. John's Church on the Hill.

She is survived by her husband Dennis of LaMoille; her son Byron (Michele) Faber of Beaverton, Oregon; her daughter Ashley (Jason) Ericksen of Downers Grove; brother Craig (Myra) Bauer of Sandwich; two sisters Connie Bauer of and Christa (Ron) Davis both of LaMoille and three grandchildren Aaron Ericksen, Violet Ericksen and Isaac Faber.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son Aaron Faber.

​Memorials may be directed to LaMoille EMT or St. John's Lutheran Church on the Hill.