Brian Thomas Courtney, age 80, of Savoy IL, died February 5, 2025, at his home in Savoy.
Brian was born on April 10, 1944, in Carbondale, IL. An Eagle Scout, Brian graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1962 and Southern Illinois University of Carbondale in 1967 with his Bachelor’s degree and later with his Master’s degree. After retirement, he completed a degree in Radiologic Technology at Kaskaskia College.
Brian taught earth science and biology for 34 years – first at Vienna High School, then at Centralia High School from 1969 to 2001. Brian coached the CHS Scholastic Bowl team from 1991-2000, winning over 300 games and the IHSA State Championship in 1991. He was elected to the IHSSBCA Hall of Fame in 2022. Additionally, he worked as a summer park ranger at Rend Lake, and he served as a trustee for Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees for seven years.
In Centralia, he was active at First United Methodist Church, the community food pantry, Ducks Unlimited and the Rotary Club and was active in Faith United Methodist Church of Champaign after moving to Savoy. He loved teaching, learning, hunting, fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Brian was married to his wife and partner Annette for 57 years. They met in junior high and were married after college. Together, they built a life based on love and faith and raised two sons, Tod and Craig. They loved to travel and took long road trips nearly every summer with their boys and later with friends or grandkids. They traveled to the Smokies, the Rockies, the oceans, national parks, monuments, museums, baseball games and took a cruise to Alaska. They were dedicated to their grandchildren and would visit often for band concerts, games, birthdays and graduations. On their journeys – as in their lives – they shared the roles of co-pilot and navigator, bringing love and kindness to the friends and family they visited.
Brian is preceded in death by his parents, W. Lee and Patricia (Linders) Courtney, and two brothers, Barry and Doug Courtney.
Brian is survived by his wife Annette; two brothers, Scott and wife Becky, and John; brother-in-law, Doug Wilson; sons, Tod and wife Belinda, Craig and wife Laura; granddaughters, Rachael, Leah and Grace; grandsons Grant and Rhys; nieces, Stacey (Courtney) Drake, Emily (Courtney) Loudenslager and Kelley Wilson; nephew Christian Courtney and many Courtney and Linders cousins.
A memorial Service for Brian will be held at Faith United Methodist Church in Champaign IL on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Visitation will be at 10 am followed by a memorial service at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Brian Courtney Memorial scholarship fund with the Centralia High School Alumni Association, or to the food pantry at Faith United Methodist Church.
Call Morgan Memorial Funeral Home at 217-356-5858 or visit https://www.morganmemorialhome.com for more information.
