PEKIN ~ Jane G. Gainer, 92, formerly of Pekin, passed away and went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. Jane’s home for the past three years was at the Davenport Lutheran Home, where she enjoyed the kindness of the staff, Pastor Chris's church services and the musical entertainment. Jane still had a fun-loving spirit and great rhythm even in her 90’s and expressed it.
She was born Anna Jane Gray on April 15, 1920 in Havana to Jesse Earl and Hattie Elizabeth (Coppenbarger) Gray. When Jane was eight, her mother "Lizzie" married Harm J. Fahnders. Jane adored Harm who continued to raise Jane and brother, Earl, Weldon and Lester after Lizzie's death from cancer in 1936. Jane spoke of “Dad” often in her later years. He was such a stabilizing force in her life. Jane’s sister, Rosemary Fahnders, died in infancy.
Jane married John Hamilton Gainer on May 26, 1940 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin. Through this union, they had three children, John Larry (Patricia) Gainer of Davenport, IA, Julie Ann Hauter of Elmwood and Janice Sue (William) Beebe of Groveland. Jan passed away on May 10, 2008.
Jane dearly enjoyed her children; 10 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. They were her comfort and joy in her later years. She enjoyed going for car rides, getting chicken nuggets and coffee, keeping time with the music of the "Silvertones" and Larry’s ensemble at church. Jane also enjoyed gardening.
Jane was a "people person" and had worked at Jones Bros. Jewelers in Pekin as a sales associate in the silver department for five years. She later worked for Sears in Peoria in ladies fashions for 20 years, retiring in 1986. Her retirement job was working part-time for Attorney Bernard Oltman.
She had many friends through the years, including neighbors, work associates and her church family at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, where she was a member.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2013 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Chris Locke will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ, 101 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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