URBANA, IL- Delores Ruth (Dee) Bachman, 72, of Urbana passed away peacefully at her home at 11:30 a.m. (Monday, September 24, 2012) with her family beside her.

Dee was bom September 4, 1940 in Newton, Illinois, a daughter of Delbert N. and Gwendolyn "Fern" (Anderson) Kerner. She married Marion R. Griffith on September 8, 1957 and had two children from their union; she later married Rodney O. Bachman in 1971. Survivors include a son. Rick J. Griffith (Paula) of Champaign, 11. a daughter Tamara J. Griffith (Connie Fox) of Piper City, II. ; her life partner Dick Grant of Urbana, and his sons Marty and Guy Grant, both of Champaign; two brothers Jim Kerner of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Mike Kerner (Jenny) of Willow Hill, II.; two sisters Wanda Portlock (Ralph) and Judy Whitehurst (Stan) both of Newton, II.; four grandchildren Carrie Griffith of Colorado Springs, Co., and Sam, Cameron, and Trae Grant of Champaign. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Betty Owens.

Dee retired from Provena Covenant Medical Center in 2010 after devoting 24 years of dedication and service in the Purchasing & Materials Management for the hospitals. Another 20 years of loyal service to the Eisner Foods Company was held prior in a number of capacities including. Accounting, Specialist to Store Maintenance, and Deli Manufacturing Supervisor.

She was member of the Champaign-Urbana Elks Lodge #2497, the Champaign American Legion, and a lifetime member of the Champaign V.F.W. and Ladies Auxiliary. Years ago she was an active member & officer of The American Business Women's Association, and she earned the 1979 "Woman of the Year" award from the organization.

An avid sports fan, especially when it came to following St. Louis Cardinal Baseball! She had great pleasure in attending home games with friends and family, and always capped the game off with dinner at Mike Shannon's for her favorite meal of lobster. Years prior she was a very active and one of top competitive bowlers in the Champaign-Urbana area. As years passed, she opted to frade in the old bowling shoes for sandals and swimsuits. A better fashion statement for the yearly vacations she greatly enjoyed with her family to distant beach/island locations. The simple pleasures of relaxing near a pool or under a beach palapa, followed up with pampered massages were total enjoyment & a much needed reward for all the years of hard work!

Please join Dee's family in a Celebration of Life ceremony on Friday, September 28, from 7-9 p.m. at the C-U Elks Lodge, 903 Dunlap, Savoy, II. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite St Louis Cardinal Baseball attire, or casual "island / beach" attire in her honor. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu offlowers, memorial contributions can be made on behalf of Dee to the Carle Hospice and Auxiliary in Champaign, and to the C-U Elks Lodge #2497 to be donated to the Elks National Foundation. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com