Carroljane "C.J" Grammer

Ms. Carroljane "C.J." Grammer, age 57, of Makanda, died at 4:20 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2014 in the St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born on July 18, 1957 in Pomona, California, the daughter of Carrol and Julia (Lawrence) Grammer. She is survived by her mother, Julia Grammer, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father; baby brother, Larry; grandparents on both sides and several aunts and uncles. The family moved to Sadorus, Illinois in June of 1963 where she attended grade school and later the Unity High School in Tolono, Illinois. She was active in sports there, as well as in band, playing the baritone and trombone. C.J. loved music of all kinds and she also took part in the drama group and in chorus. Growing up with television and becoming interested in the technology of how everything worked and came together, she enrolled in the Illinois State University Communications Department. After graduating in 1979, she returned to the Champaign area to work at WCIA, CBS Channel 3. From there she spent three years at WHTR in Indianapolis, Indiana. In January 1986 she went to work at NBC Channel 4 in Denver, Colorado as a news director/producer. While in Denver she directed the Christmas Parades and won an IRIS award, a national recognition for a Christmas Parade. At Channel 4, she and a friend organized and produced Colorado Women's Sports Activities. During her stay there C.J. won three Emmys for her news work and directing the "Boulder, Boulder" Marathon. She also taught at the University of Colorado, in Boulder. In 1993 her parents moved to Makanda. C.J. came home in 2010 as her father's health declined. C.J was a loving daughter and sister to her brother Larry (who passed away in 1989). She was a good friend and a compassionate person, always willing to help anyone. She always loved animals, especially her dog "Callie", a beautiful English Spaniel. C.J. had a great sense of humor and loved to joke with friends and family. She will be missed by many. Memorial Services for Carroljane "C.J." Grammer will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with the Rev. Cliff Waller officiating. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Makanda at a later date. Friends may call from 10-11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Francis Care Animal Rescue in Murphysboro. Visitation Service Saturday, August 23, 2014,10:00AM-11:00AM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Memorial/Funeral Service Saturday, August 23, 2014,11:00AM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906