Sally Ann Hutchcroft (nee Hopkins), 91, of Knoxville, Illinois, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024.

Sally was born on September 9, 1933, in Galesburg, Illinois. She was the daughter of Rex Hopkins and Bonnie Hopkins (nee Newkirk). She married James “Jim” H. Hutchcroft on January 28, 1956, in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on September 12, 2016. Sally is survived by her children, Ann (Les) Weber of Coralville, Iowa, and Joel (Pam) Hutchcroft of Knoxville; grandchildren Kaitlin (Marc) Hutchcroft-Pitart, Brian (Sara) Kern, Nate (Kristi) Kern, and Lisa (Jim) Wachendorf; four great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Barbara Hopkins; four nieces; two nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Frank Hopkins, and her sister-in-law Judy Newcomb.

Sally was raised in Delong and Knoxville, attending Delong Grade School and graduating from Knoxville High School in 1951. She attended Bradley University and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French language and literature in 1955. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi social sorority. She taught P.E. at Knoxville High School and fourth grade at the Knoxville Elementary School. In 1971 she earned a Master of Arts degree in English at Bradley University and went on to teach remedial reading in area elementary schools and then Language Arts at Knoxville Junior High School. In total, she taught in the Knoxville School District for more than 22 years. Upon retirement, she taught classes at Carl Sandburg College and worked at the Galesburg Public Library.

Sally was active in her community, serving as a past member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, Knox County Historical Sites, Knoxville Public Library Board, P.E.O., D.A.R., American Legion Auxiliary, M.I. Club, Junior Women’s Club, Pilot Club, and Illinois Retired Teachers Association. She loved to read and had many interests, including calligraphy, stamp collecting, gardening, painting, and making music. Sally loved animals, including horses (especially Rusty, her childhood pony), cats, and dogs. Most of all she loved her family and her friends. She was a loving mother and grandmother, a compassionate teacher, and the consummate nurturer.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Graveside services will be held at a later date, with inurnment at Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Illinois. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family.

Sally’s family thanks the kind and caring staffs at Allure of Knox County and OSF Hospice for their excellent care.