Janice Marie (Meyer) Wilke, formerly of Mokena, passed peacefully into eternal life at her home on Friday, July 4, 2025. Born on September 3, 1941, in Peotone, she was second of the eight daughters of Wesley I. and Vernett A. (Buchmeier) Meyer. She grew up on a dairy farm in Peotone and attended first and second grades at the Denby schoolhouse and third through sixth grades at the Will-Center schoolhouse. Both country schools were in Will Township. Junior high school was completed at the old Peotone High School building. Upon graduation from Peotone High School in 1959, she then attended and graduated from Marycrest Business College in 1960.
On December 3, 1960, Janice and Chester Lee Wilke were married at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Peotone. They celebrated 27 years of marriage before his death on October 16, 1988. During the first nine years of marriage, Jan was busy raising her children and helping with the animals and the farm. In 1969, she became the secretary for Green Garden Elementary School, where she worked for 45 years, retiring in 2015. There is a bench at the school dedicated to her stating: ” A smile is the universal welcome – 45 years of smiles.” She watched many students attend Green Garden, and then watched their children as they progressed through the school, too. It brought so much joy to her. Jan also worked at the Peotone Public Library and loved reading books to the children at “Story Hour.”
Faith and family were very important to Jan, who grew up attending Immanuel United Church of Christ. After her marriage, she and her family were members of St. John United Church of Christ, North Peotone. In her later years, she returned to her childhood church. She had a love for quilting, reading, and watching sports on TV, but mostly a deep love for family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Meyer” family gatherings are held often, as her sisters and their families have always been special and close to her heart. There were never too many miles for her to drive or weather bad enough to keep her from attending a grandchild’s or great-grandchild’s event. She always has been and will forever be their biggest supporter, cheerleader, fan, and “team scorekeeper.” She had a love for reading with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her smile was contagious to all, as well as her caring and gentle demeanor. There was not a person whose heart she didn’t touch.
Jan is survived by two children, Lon (Lorri) Wilke of Joliet and Laurie (Bret) Reifsteck of Yorkville; six grandchildren, Luke (Sara) Wilke of Plainfield, Linnea (Ross) McCracken of Joliet, Lisabeth (Blake) Campbell of DeMotte, Indiana, Lexis Wilke of Joliet, Brendon (fiancé Rachel) Reifsteck of Menomonie, Wisconsin, and Joshua Reifsteck of Louisville, Kentucky; nine great-grandchildren: Zoe, Izabelle, and Leif Wilke of Plainfield, Montgomery McCracken of Joliet, Gemma, Elliana, Isla, Caedmon, and Callan Campbell of DeMotte, Indiana.
Seven sisters survive: Donna (James) Ramey of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Betty (Roger) Shronts of Clemmons, North Carolina, Sandra (David) Dzurny of Peotone, Colleen (Bill) Knippel of Mokena, Jayne Kiedaisch of West Monroe, Louisiana, Bonnie (Jeff) Offermann of Bourbonnais, and Debra (Robert) Peters of Beecher; nephews and nieces: Tom (Kristi) Ramey, Bob (Tina) Ramey, Kerry (Rhonda) Shronts, Korey (Amani) Shronts, Janaye (Troy) Smith, Michelle Dzurny, Curtis Menke (Melisa Landbeck), Erin Assam, Stacy (Paul) Steen, Kyle (Brittany) Kiedaisch, Kensey (Joe) Fortenberry, Jenna (Josh) Dutour, Ryan (Lisa) Offermann, Rachel, Mark, and Justine Peters.
Also surviving are great-nephews and great-nieces, Grace Everetts, Emily Ramey, Colin and Will Shronts, Thor and Daniel Shronts, Brianna and Tyler Smith, Beatrix Landbeck-Menke, Christiana Assam, Aubrey and Hattie Steen, Kade and Hank Kiedaisch, Aiden, Grayson, and Hudson Fortenberry, Reese Dutour, Landon and Rylan Offermann; and Goddaughter, Kensey Fortenberry.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband and parents, great-aunt Loretta, great-uncle Willard Jacobs, and brother-in-law Randall Kiedaisch.
Funeral services were held on Monday, July 14, at Immanuel United Church of Christ, Peotone, with interment immediately following at Peotone Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to: Advocate Charitable Foundation, Advocate Children’s Heart Institute, 2025 Windsor Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523, https://secure.aahgiving.org/site/Donation2?df_id=4862&mfc_pref=T&4862.donation=form1 or Peotone Public Library.