Jane (Knapp) Grimes

Jane Grimes, age 82, of Pittsfield, IL passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024, at her home in Pittsfield. She was born September 7, 1941, in Monmouth, IL to Ivan and Lucille Knapp. Jane married Jerry Grimes April 30, 1961, at Pittsfield First Christian Church and he survives.

Jane grew up in Monmouth, IL and attended school there until her Senior year, when her family moved to Pittsfield. She graduated with the PHS Class of 1959. She continued lifelong friendships with her Monmouth classmates. In January 1960, she moved to Milwaukee with her sister, Peggy. She worked at Kindey Optical as a receptionist until November 1960, when she moved back to Pittsfield. Upon her return, she worked at her father’s business, Kamar, in the office and also in her mother’s gift shop.

Jane was a devoted and dedicated member of Pittsfield United Methodist Church since 1988. She served her community as a Sunday School teacher, Director of Education at the Pittsfield First Christian Church, organized Bike and Build and was a member of the Rebekah’s 2.0 Ladies. At the age of 46, Jane went back to school at John Wood Community College and obtained her LPN. She gave the class speech when graduating. She loved being a nurse. She worked at Illini Community Hospital and also worked in Respiratory Therapy at Illini Rehab. She worked at Bloomers and loved making floral arrangements and took great delight in working in her flower garden at home, as well. Jane was a Pike County Salvation Army Representative and an HCE member. She loved walking and hiking, was an avid reader, enjoyed quilting and decorating windows for area businesses. Jane loved sewing for her family, especially Halloween costumes and also made costumes for local plays. She was a wonderful cook, who specialized in baking pies, rolls, and Danish Puff. She made the best roast beef and gravy! Jerry and Jane were the 2019 Pittsfield Fall Festival Grand Marshalls. She will be remembered as a kind and generous woman who loved her family unconditionally and will be dearly missed by all.

Jane is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Jerry Grimes; son, Tom (John Hollman) Grimes of Springfield, IL; daughters, Nancy Jane Grimes of Griggsville, IL, Judy Lynn (Lance) Leeds of Paris, IL and Carol Ann (Dan) Barton of Pittsfield, IL; grandchildren, Bryan (Jennifer) Smith, Madelyn (Jesse) Pattison, Hannah (Matthew) Browning, Emily (Logan) Thiele, Tyler (Maria) Leeds, Brayden (LeeAnn) Leeds, Tom (Afton) Barton, Kayla (Seth) Hough, Rachel Barton and Rebekah (Jayce Stenbeck) Barton; and fourteen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Lucille Knapp; and her sister, Billie Kay.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, August 30, 2024, at Pittsfield United Methodist Church with interment to follow the service at Oakwood Cemetery in Pittsfield, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield, IL. Memorials are suggested to be made to Oakwood Cemetery or Cunningham Home. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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