Adrianne Brooke Denney's Obituary
Adrianne Brooke Denney, beloved daughter of Rusty and Julie Denney of Casey Illinois entered this life on Jan. 30 1991 in Terre Haute IN. and went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday Nov. 30, 2006. Adrianne died of complications from surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Adrianne was such a unique and wonderful girl. She filled her 15 years of life to the brim with numerous activities. It is as if she knew that she had to accomplish as much as possible in the time she had on this earth. She sang in her first talent show at the age of three at the Casey United Methodist Church, where she was a devoted member. At the age of four Adrianne won her first of several talent shows at the Martinsville Agricultural Fair. It seems fitting that the first song that was sang at Martinsville was "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", since softball became such an integral part of her ongoing life. Adrianne's age group was the first in Casey to participate in Kindergarten League Softball. Mike Connelly and her father Rusty Denney coached these first two teams. Rusty told the team that he would buy a Gatorade drink for any girl that could catch a fly ball in a game, and that was all Adrianne needed to hear as she went diving for her first of many fly balls. One evening the bases were loaded and Adrianne was a base runner on third. The ball was hit to Sami Smith, who played third base on Mike's team. Sami got the ball and started chasing after Adrianne as she was trying to score. Just when Sami was about to tag Adrianne, someone in the crowd yelled "slide" and Adrianne slid into home just like a pro would do. Later on that night Adrianne was asked where she learned to slide like she did and she replied "I have watched the Casey Warriors softball team my entire life and learned how to play ball". Ever since her birth in 1991 she and her family attended every State Championship softball game Casey was apart of. Mike and Rusty later combined the two teams to form and coach the Casey Chaos for several years. She was an amazing ballplayer even at such a young age. Adrianne's pitching career started at age nine. She helped the Casey Chaos win several softball tournaments at 10U and 12U age levels and helped guide the Chaos to their first national tournament appearance in South Haven, Mississippi. She was a member of the DT Elite softball team, coached by Denny Throneburg. This team won the Illinois 10U ASA state championship and then qualified to play in the national ASA tournament in Tulsa Ok. Adrianne also spent summers playing with many other traveling teams. These teams include the Delaware Diamonds. She played three national tournaments with this great group of girls in Sterling Virginia and Canton Ohio. She also played with the Southern Express where they also played in a national tournament in Boulder Colorado. This past summer Adrianne played with the Oly Fire and played in the NSA national tournament in Columbus Ohio. During her Jr. High playing career Adrianne helped the Lady Braves to an Elite Eight appearance during her Eighth grade year. Adrianne was also a member on the Jr. High volleyball team. She led the team in aces and was named the team MVP. These Jr. High moments led her to a promising high school career in volleyball and softball. During her Freshman season, Adrianne was listed as one of the areas leaders in aces during her freshman and sophomore volleyball seasons in The Charleston T-C paper. In Softball she threw seven no-hitters, 13 shutout games and was named LIC First Team All-conference, First Team Illinois All-State Tournament team, was named Decatur Herald-Review player of the Year along with Coach of the year Katie O'Connell and was also named to the First Team ICA softball team and helped lead the Lady Warriors to a State Runner-up Finish in 2006. Not only did Adrianne excel athletically, she also loved to sing and perform. Her first drama performance was in the "Music Man" at age five. She also performed in the "Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever", "Miracle on 34th Street", "Wizard of Oz", and "Winnie the Pooh". She played one of the children in "Annie Get Your Gun" and "The Sound of Music". This past year performed the role of Marty, one of the Pink Ladies in "Grease". She was named to the district honor choir in Jr .High and also performed in the High school choir. Academically Adrianne was a high-honors student in Jr. High and in High school. She was also a member of the student council and was an active member in the Spanish club, Drama club and FCCLA. When asked to describe herself with the letters in her name, this is what she wrote: Athletic Daring Religious Intelligent Academic Nice Nerdy Energetic Survivors include her parents, Rusty and Julie Denney of Casey, IL; maternal grandmother, Roberta Ashley of Casey, IL; paternal grandmother, Ann Denney of Casey, IL; uncles and aunts, Shannon and Cherie Ashley of Casey, IL; Don and Lori Crozier of Casey, IL; Rusty and Camille Ragon of Casey, IL; Connie Kerner of Newton, IL; Steve and Cathy Bright of Sandwich, IL; and Lisa Britton of Newton, IL; cousins, Brock Ashley and his wife Angela, Brett Ashley and his wife Tara, Brian and Brandon Crozier, Brennan and Bryton Ragon, Jay Kerner and his wife Julie, Drew Kerner , Paige Kerner, Gidget Mitchell and her husband Mark, Michaela Mitchell, Makenzie Mitchell, Madeline Mitchell, Cassie Campton and her husband Darrin, Clayton Campton, Callaway Campton, Eric Bright, Kiley Bright Allen and her husband Mike, and Kaycee Britton. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Moe Ashley; paternal grandfather, John Denney; maternal great grandmother, Claudine Martin and cousin, Cody Britton. The family would like to welcome family and friends to stop by their home and share in their memories of Adrianne. Private family services will be held. Memorials may be made to the Casey Westfield High School Girls Softball team, c/o Casey Westfield High School, 306 E. Edgar Ave., Casey, IL 62420. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of arrangements. I am... walking through a crowd even though I'm all alone. I'm on the edge of breaking down- Every chance I've blown. I am... losing and gaining hope, everything is spinning- I hope I come through winning. I am... now confident in myself. I put my anger and hate up on the shelf. I am... bouncing back from an emotional defeat. I keep standing tall and firm on my feet. I am... strong, brave, courageous, and forgiving- these are the ways I keep on living. By: Adrianne
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