Mrs. Laura Jean (Baughman) Appell

Laura Jean Appell (Baughman), 65, of Galesburg, IL, passed away peacefully after her battle with early onset dementia in the wee hours of November 6, 2021.

She was born in Galesburg in 1956 to Richard L. and Julia L. Baughman. She was preceded in death by her brother Richard L. Baughman Jr., her husband Roger Appell, and one step-son Rodney Appell. She is survived by her daughter Julie (Derek) Jones, son Richard Waldorf, and her granddaughter Jaylea Jones, all of Galesburg. She also leaves behind several step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, and many longtime friends. Family was family to Laura regardless of the label put on the relationship. She loved them all with her whole heart and ‘adopted’ people left and right and called them family.

Laura worked at Irv’s lunch in the late 70s and early 80s. After Irv’s Lunch closed, Laura went to Carl Sandburg College and studied Computer Science and then worked for RFMS for over 30 years before retiring.

Laura had many titles throughout her life: woman, daughter, wife, ex-wife, sister, cousin, aunt, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, girlfriend, fiancé, student, motorcyclist, computer programmer, cook, N9UVZ, animal lover, Schnauzer mom, music lover, friend, traveler, teacher, animal advocate, intellectual badass, redhead, disliker of bridges, ‘almost’ pilot, Girl Scout, fighter of dementia, Memaw, Step-mom, Grandma, Step-grandma, Mother-in-law and most beloved Mother.

Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, November 12, 2021 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel.  Memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jordan Knight officiating. Cremation will be accorded and her ashes will be released in a memorial skydive with her daughter at a later date.

Memorials may be made out in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association http://act.alz.org/goto/LaurasCrew

Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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