Candace Kay Leonard, 66, of Taylorville, passed away at 6:37 a.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Taylorville Care Center.

Candy was born October 9, 1954 in Decatur, the daughter of Earnest and Wilma (Keele) Grandfield. She worked for many years at St. Vincent’s Memorial Hospital as well as Sangamon Paper Company, but for the majority of her career worked as an in-home healthcare provider. In her retirement she worked for, both, Payless Shoe Source and Kroger. Candy was a talented artist, and she enjoyed freehand drawing, painting, crocheting, and crafting. She was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Candy was a past-member of Calvary Baptist Church in Taylorville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-daughter, Kimberly Daniels; grandson, Jeremy Starwalt; sisters, Carey Grandfield and Carol Swank; and brothers, Larry, Bud, and Arthur Grandfield.

Candy is survived by her companion, Richard S. Daniels of Taylorville; children, Angie (husband, Michael) Donnel of Decatur, Chris (wife, Maggie) Daniels of Chatham, Brittany (husband, Aaron) Samson of Taylorville, Jesse (wife, Amber) Daniels of Taylorville, and Shawn Starwalt of Shelbyville; step-children, Beverly (husband, Max) Chitwood of Taylorville, and Kevin (wife, Tracy) Daniels of Mahomet; grandchildren, Caitlin, Carson, Kendyl, Jackson, Theo, Caleb, Kailey, Erietta, Isabella, Evelyn, Amanda, Ashley, Hannah, Kallie, Chelsea, Courtney, Alanna, Kylie, and Gage; several great grandchildren; siblings, Jack Grandfield of Macon, Aileen Barringer of Macon, and Helen Wilson of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation: The family will receive guests from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 5, 2021 at Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home, 202 W. Franklin Street, Taylorville, IL 62568. 

Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at the funeral home with Pastor Gerald McPhillips officiating.

Interment will follow the ceremony at Zion Cemetery in Boody.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Legion Post #73, 110 W. Franklin Street, Taylorville, IL 62568.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Candy, or offer condolences to her family.