Lisa Anne Ramirez, 62, of Bloomington, Illinois, died at 12:40 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.
Lisa was born on November 29, 1963, in Monmouth, Illinois, the daughter of Richard Lee and Shirley Jean (Vestal) Cole. Lisa married Jose Antonio Ramirez, Jr., on October 24, 1998, in Hudson, Illinois.
Lisa is survived by her husband of 27 years, Tony of Bloomington; son, David Strange of Pekin, Illinois; two daughters, Jennifer Ramirez of Bloomington and Lucille “Luci” Ramirez of Normal, Illinois; and eight grandchildren, Omari, Ella, Khamarya, Bella, Aubrey, Paxton, Cole, and Nolan. Lisa is also survived by two sisters, Lori (Brian) Kane of Galesburg, Illinois, and Lana (Lonnie) Simpson of Monmouth; and one brother, Richard (Jennifer) Cole of Monmouth. Others surviving Lisa are nieces, nephews, great-nieces and a great-nephew, and her extended family which includes Cassie, Jeri, Laura, and all of her students. Lisa was preceded in death by her father, Richard Cole; her mother and stepfather, Shirley (Mike) Noel; and one brother, Jeff.
Lisa graduated from Monmouth High School and received her AAS from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg. Lisa worked at State Farm Corporate South in Claims for several years before going to work for Bloomington School District 87. She first worked in the lunchroom at Irving Elementary School before transitioning to a Special Education Teacher’s Aide at Bloomington High School where she worked until her recent retirement.
Lisa was a loving, generous, and giving soul who loved cats, teddy bears, country music and going to Nashville, Tennessee. She also had a passion for thrifting including going to garage sales, the Third Sunday Market, and all thrift stores. She loved a good bargain. Lisa also enjoyed playing slot machines and testing her luck with scratch off tickets. Most of all, Lisa loved her family and spending as much time with them as she could.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, February 16, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Additional visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Monmouth, Illinois. A funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. with Father Timothy Hepner officiating. Burial will be at Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be directed to Tony Ramirez, who will then direct funds to Bloomington School District 87 Special Education Department, which was very dear to her heart. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
