Born January 18, 1943 in Decatur to William Jacob and Anna Susan (Zickus) Baer, she married Joseph R. Pesha on December 22, 1962 in Peoria. He survives.
Also surviving are her six children, Elise Byers, Joanne Winterboer, Troy Pesha, Steve Pesha, Shelly Pesha and Susan Roberts; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and two brothers, William “Bill” Baer and Butch Baer.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Marcella Baer and one brother, Marty Baer.
As a teenager she worked at Harms Florist. She later spent time working for the Talbott’s at the fruit stand in Bloomington and selling Christmas trees.
A homemaker, Janet was a proud mother of six children and loved being involved in their lives and activities. She was involved in the Brownies and the Girl Scouts. Janet was a volunteer for the Pekin YWCA Literacy Program.
Janet had an extensive bottle collection and was a member of the Pekin Bottle Club. She illustrated a book about the soda “Crown Top” bottles of Illinois. She also enjoyed drawing, painting and quilting. She was incredibly generous and would help a person in any way that she could. For family events and holidays she made the magic happen. She worked hard to organize, plan activities and feed everyone who attended.
Her graveside service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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