Nancy (Dust) Sargent, 74 passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025 at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham from heart complications due to a recurrence of breast cancer.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Bauer Funeral Home, followed by a memorial mass at 11:30 am at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Effingham.
Nancy was born November 26, 1950 in Teutopolis, the daughter of Edward and Celeste (Vahling) Dust. She married Mark Sargent on June 16, 1973. She graduated college from Eastern Illinois university (proudly completing her degree in 3 years) in 1971. In later years, she said that she wished she could have gone the 4th year since college was so much fun! In 1995 she got her masters in reading specialty to help struggling students.
Nancy taught elementary school for 32 years mostly in Naperville district 204. A majority of her teaching was 1st grade. 8 years, she taught reading specialty for grades 1-6. She really loved those kids, but wished that she had kept a memoir of all the goofy things they said and did.
She was a member of PEO chapter LV in Bolingbrook IL.
Nancy had a massive stroke in 2001 which left her paralyzed on the left side. After a year of rehabilitation, she was able to walk with a cane and restart her teaching career. Not a feat that many people would be able to do, but she was determined to get back to school!
Mark & Nancy moved back to Effingham in 2015 and have enjoyed the retired life. The wheelchair managed to survive all the trips they took. Their trip of a lifetime was in Europe which included 4 days in Paris followed by an 11 day river cruise from Trier Germany to Zurich Switzerland. Mark had managed to rig her wheelchair with oversized tires in order to easily get through all of the cobblestone streets of the cities they visited. The next favorite trip was to the Bahamas with 3 of Dusty’s kids and Ed’s future wife. Beaches were always great which they visited frequently.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Mark of Effingham; sons, Dusty (Kristen) of Bloomington and Ed (Patty) of Dallas, TX; brothers, Paul (Mary) Dust, Mark (Susan) Dust and both of Effingham; sisters, and Marilee (Dennis) Funneman of Teutopolis; Jayne (Scott) Stockman of Peoria; grandchildren, Michael (Kaleo), Madyson, Matthew, Isabela, and Emma Sargent.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Tom (Wendy).
Nancy’s life was marked by faith, perseverance, service, and love for her family, students, and community. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
In lieu of food or flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony Schools in honor of Nancy’s lifelong dedication to education and her desire to see every child succeed.
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