Glenna FitzHenry Castillo

Glenna FitzHenry Castillo, 82, of Long Beach, CA, formerly of Rankin, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025. She was born on December 27, 1942, in Rankin, the daughter of Ralph and Harriett FitzHenry and granddaughter of Harry and Anna Pierce, and Ed and Flossie FitzHenry. She is survived by her husband, Paul Castillo; stepson, Dan (Kathy) Castillo; stepdaughter, Vickie (Tom) Shay; sisters, Brenda Mundell and Sally FitzHenry; brothers, Michael (Elaine) FitzHenry, Melvin (Diane) FitzHenry, and James (C.J.) FitzHenry; five step-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two special women who were like daughters, Cameo Waters and Angela Allen-Hess; and her special Rankin family, the Eighners. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Tom Wilburn; brother-in-law, Jacob Mundell; and a nephew, Joe Schaeffer. Glenna attended Rankin Grade School and Rankin High School, graduating with the Class of 1961. She went on to earn her B.S. in Education from Eastern Illinois University and later received her M.S. in Education from Pepperdine University in California. Glenna began her teaching career as a physical education teacher in Zion, Illinois, at Zion-Benton High School, where she also taught driver’s education. In 1967, she moved to California and continued her passion for teaching at Paramount High School, where she served as a physical education teacher and the women’s tennis coach until her retirement in 1999. During this time, she also worked as a part-time travel agent for CTA Travels. In 1980, Glenna married Paul Castillo, who was also a teacher and the men’s tennis coach at Paramount High School. Together, they made their home in Long Beach, California. Glenna was an extraordinary woman - kind, generous, caring, and endlessly positive. She lived life to the fullest, running marathons, coaching, tending to her beautiful flowers, and remaining a devoted member of her health club. Though she grew up in the small town of Rankin, where a trip to Hoopeston or Paxton felt like an adventure, Glenna became a true world traveler. With Paul, she journeyed to Russia, France, England, Spain, and beyond. She also cherished trips with her sisters, traveling to England, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and France, while special trips with her sister, Brenda, took them to China, Africa, and the Panama Canal. Glenna even ventured on her own to destinations such as Tahiti and Vietnam and enjoyed exploring parts of the United States with her siblings, including Texas, Canada, North Carolina, Maine, and Virginia. Above all, Glenna’s greatest joy was found in her family. She was a beloved daughter, wife, and sister whose kindness and warmth blessed all who knew her. Her family was truly blessed to have her in their lives, and they will forever cherish her memory and miss her dearly. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church in Rankin. Friends are welcome to join the family for fellowship and a light lunch at the Rankin Lion’s Club following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Rankin, IL.

Glenna FitzHenry Castillo

December 27, 1942 - August 21, 2025