BRAIDWOOD, Ill. — Mrs. Jannie L. Elder, 72, of Braidwood, Ill., and formerly of Wilmington, Ill., passed away Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at her home.
Born April 3, 1940, in Purcell, Okla., Jannie was a daughter of the late George and Opal VanWinkle-James. She was raised and educated in California and married Charles E. Elder, who preceded her on Feb. 4, 2008.
Jannie was a member of the Wilmington Recreation Club, where she served in the capacity of security, as well as caretaker. She attended Island City Baptist Church, as well as First Christian Church in Wilmington, and square danced with the Island City Squares. Jannie enjoyed reading and leaves behind memories of many travels and trips, which she dearly loved.
Survivors include three children, Dennis (Suze) Elder of Bolingbrook, Ill., Shelby (Don) Nelson of Tacoma, Wash., and Jack (Carla) Elder of Aurora, Ill.; six grandchildren, Jenna (Gredee) Constable of Aurora, Ill., Jamie (Tonye) Amachree of Romeoville, Ill., and Jonathan (Ashley) Elder, Luke Elder, Loretta Elder and Jake Elder, all of Aurora; six great-grandchildren, Joey and Nikki Christofiles, Amaya, Ava and Emma Amachree, and Caden Elder; two brothers, George (Juanita) James and Wayne James, both of California; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as her special friend Tom Markle of Wilmington.
Jannie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; two sons, Charles and Danny; two sisters, Margie and Winnie; and one brother, Donny.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 3 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 7:30 p.m. in Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, Wilmington. A private family inurnment will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, where Jannie will be laid to rest with her late husband, Charles.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jannie's memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73123-1718 (www.Cancer.org).
Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.FRBfuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Matthew R. Baskerville. For additional information call (815) 476-2181.