Svetlana Germanavna Gurianova Kalacheva, 41, of Bushnell, Illinois, formerly of Rybinsk, Russia, passed away at 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at The Elms in Macomb, Illinois, following a brief illness.
She was born on September 14, 1984, in Rybinsk, Russia, the daughter of Gerra and Olga Gurianov. Svetlana married Andrei Kalachev together they shared 24 years of life.
Svetlana is survived by her mother, Olga Gurianova of Rybinsk, Russia; husband, Andrei Kalachev of Bushnell, IL; and four siblings: Vika Ludlum of Bushnell, IL; Masha (Lucas) Lovejoy of Prairie City, IL; Alexei Douglas of Macomb, IL; and Yuri (Tricia) Douglas of Edison Park, IL. She is also survived by her niece, Aryanna Simpson; and nephews, Miles Douglas, Max and Henry Lovejoy, and Jack and Archie Douglas.
Although Svetlana was never formally adopted, she was deeply loved by the American parents of her siblings, Gary and Lisa Ludlum and Cheryl Douglas. She was preceded in death by her father, Gerra.
In the late 1990s, Svetlana’s siblings were adopted into the United States. At that time, she remained in Russia, though she maintained close contact with her family. By God’s grace and with determination, Svetlana and her husband, Andrei, were able to move to the United States in 2014, reuniting the Gurianov children once again.
Svetlana was a bright, motivated young woman who enjoyed taking “English as a Second Language” classes with Andrei at Western Illinois University. She was happiest when working and had previously supervised a store while living in Russia. Her education there extended beyond high school and would be equivalent to a junior college degree in the United States.
After settling in Bushnell, Svetlana was employed at Ludlum Food Mart and later at Vaughn & Bushnell Manufacturing Co. She cherished time at home with Andrei and loved her cat, Masha. She found joy in nature, family gatherings, Christmas celebrations, and the simple moments spent with her loved ones.
Svetlana left this world much too soon and will always be remembered as one of the five Gurianov siblings who bravely left their homeland of Russia to build a new life in America. She was a woman of strong faith and a member of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday September 27, 2025 at the Martin-Hollis Funeral Home with Scott Vickers officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow the memorial service from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at the Bushnell VFW. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in to OSF-Sister’s Charity. Please sign the guestbook at www.martinhollisfh.com
