Rhea Britton

Rhea Britton, 74 of Aurora, formerly of Joy, Illinois, died Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Silvercross Nursing Home, Rock Island. Funeral Services will be Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, with visitation prior to services beginning at 2:30 PM. Private burial will be in Peniel Cemetery, Joy, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Joy United Methodist Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church or the VCA Aurora Animal Hospital.

Rhea was born on June 3, 1951, in Aledo, Illinois to Robert Arthur & Druzilla “Madge” (Steele) Britton. She graduated from Aledo High School, class of 1970, and with a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University.

Rhea spent 23 years as a safety inspector for OSHA, before retiring in 2002. Retirement didn’t last long, as she went on to substitute for the West Aurora School District for 11 years. Rhea enjoyed staying busy in her spare time. She and her mother were “Busy Bees” in the craft circle. She enjoyed knitting and lapidary jewelry. She was also a member of Women of the Moose, the Bachelors & Bachelorettes Square Dancing Club and the Elgin Rock Club. She served as a delegate to the Metropolitan Chicagoland Association of Square Dancers and was on the board for the Chicagoland Gem and Mineral Association.

Rhea cherished her church family at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Aurora where she enjoyed Sunday school, bible study and loved to help with the giving tree every Christmas. Rhea also loved to rescue and adopt cats. Her last cat, Stan, was her best friend and snuggle buddy.

Those left to cherish Rhea’s memory includer her mother, Madge Britton; siblings: Mary Adams of Moline and Robert & Sindy Britton of Joy; nieces and nephews and families: Brandon & Brooke Adams and children, Drake & Reid; Nathan & Freda Adams and children, Griffin, Devin (Ellie), Gavin and Lakin; Melissa Sorrowfree and children, Druzilla and Keegan; Jessica & Eric Weatherly and children, Samera and Blake; Felica & Alex Adams and children, Katelyn, Daenica and Jacoby; and Barbara & Eric Tracy and children, Robbie and Draven. Rhea was preceded in death by her father.