Janice M. Thompson

Janice “Jan” Brown Thompson, of Lacon, formerly of Morton, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Lacon Rehab and Nursing. 

She was born September 22, 1947 the daughter of Earl and Mary Lindenfelser Brown. 

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda (Rich) Rukstalis, two brothers, Bob (Becky) Brown of Sycamore and Jim (Anita) Brown of Sacramento; one uncle, Stuart (Jean) McKneight of Pekin; several nieces and nephews; many cousins; and three grand doxie dogs, Gracie, Barney, and Teddy. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; maternal grandparents, Adolph and Edith Giebelhausen Lindenfelser of Morton; paternal grandparents, Jesse and Mabel Hefler Brown of East Peoria; her former husband, Jim Thompson of Geneseo; and one infant son, Heath Thompson; and her beloved cat, Biscuit. 

She was also preceded in death by Marion “Slim” Markham of Morton, the wonderful true love of her life.  They had 17 great years together living, loving, and laughing, and traveling, making the most of each moment they had.  Their love was unconditional, and they helped each other to understand and heal from big hurts of the past.  Jan was right beside Slim during his brief illness and passing away on Feb. 19, 2007 at Morton Terrace. 

She graduated from Morton High School in 1965 and was active in G.A.A., 4-H and Job’s Daughters Bethel #96 in Morton. 

She was raised in the Morton United Methodist Church and then was an active member of Morton Community United Church of Christ for over 20 years.  She and Slim loved going to church and loved their church family. 

Jan loved to cook and collected recipes and cookbooks.  She also loved dogs, and cats, music and movies, being with family and being “Brenda’s mom” and shopping at Beecham’s Market in Tremont. 

She was school crossing guard at Grundy School from 1979 to 1984 and also was night shift supervisor at Chad’s Crispy Chicken during the 1980’s. She was head receptionist at Rosewood Care Center in Peoria for 10 years and then was the receptionist at Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCRRN) in Bloomington for 12 years, retiring on Dec. 31, 2013. 

May the footprints we leave behind show that we walked in kindness toward the earth and every living thing. 

Cremation has been accorded. A memorial service will be at 11:00 am Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont.  Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. 

Memorials may be made to TAPS in Pekin.

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