Rhonda Lynn Westenfelt, 57, of Van Orin, IL passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at her home in Van Orin.  Rhonda was born April 13, 1968 in Aurora IL the daughter of Doris J. Westenfelt, but was raised by her grandmother Elizabeth Westenfelt and her grandfather Ralph Westenfelt, Over the years she worked as a CNA at Macaulay Manor in Aurora, Illinois, taking care of nuns, and also at the same time running her restaurant, Potato Works at the Fox Valley mall in Aurora, Illinois, and also took care of the mentally ill. She loved helping people and being there for her friends and family, She was the one when she walk into a room full of people She would make the whole room light up! She was the one everyone went to for love and guidance, Rhonda Married Mike Shinault May 18th, 2016 in Princeton, IL. Before her passing, She loved helping out running the food pantry at church and loved volunteering at events at her church when she wasn't volunteering or helping anyone, she loved being at Home relaxing in her room with her 10 cats and two dogs with all the bedroom windows opened and have that nice summer breeze coming through the windows, watching thousand pound sisters on TLC with her son Joseph Melton (Joey), That was one of her favorite shows. She also love to go outside and plant flowers and sit outside with all the cats around her. She treat those cats like they were her own children. She also loved to sit in the kitchen with her husband, Mike Shinault listening to music and talk for hours about the good old days and so much more. She is a remarkable woman that will be missed by all!!!

Rhonda is survived by her Husband, Mike; mother: Doris Westenfelt; Children: Malcolm Melton of Yorkville, IL, Bethany Westenfelt of Nashville, TN, Joseph Melton (Joey) of Van Orin, IL and Michael Shinault II of Van Orin, IL; siblings: Johnathan Westenfelt and Sharon Westenfelt both of Oswego, IL; one grandchild: Issac Padilla.

Visitation will be held 9:00 - 11:00, Tuesday, April 22 at the Van Orin Gospel Church.  Funeral service will follow at 11:00 at the church with Pastor Tim Batchelor officiating.  Burial will follow the services at Van Orin Repose Cemetery.  Memorials are to be established to the family to help assist with final expenses.  visit www.horner-merritt.com for online guestbook.