Jeannine’s Obituary Jeannine Allen, age 86, a truly wonderful wife and mother passed away to be with the lord on Thursday morning, May 9, 2019. Shirley Jeannine Allen, nee Weeks, was born in Peoria, Illinois on May 15, 1932 to Dorothy Titus Weeks and Roger L. Weeks. Jeannine grew up on the family farm in Fairbury, Illinois where she attended the Weeks Elementary School and Fairbury High School.
She attended nursing school at Rush Nursing College and later pursued a degree in Early Childhood Development at Parkland College. She married the love of her life Richard F. Allen on November 18, 1951 and they were newlyweds for 67½ years. Jeannine and Richard started their married life in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
They returned to Illinois to the Allen family farm in Thawville, where they farmed until 1974. Together they had four children Lynn Allen-Hoffmann (Michael), Steven Allen (Terri), Peggy Francisco (Roger) and Joseph Allen (Jenny). She has eleven grandchildren Gregory Chandler (Aimee), Kristin Kaimakliotis (Hristos), Pam Chandler (Bryan), Tom Reed (Tonya), Philip Chandler (Beth), Claire Hoffmann (Rafael), Natalie Hoffmann, William Lin, Olivia von Sydow, Samuel Allen (Ashely), and Beth Allen; thirteen great-grandchildren, Addison, Aubrey, Amber, Clara, Zacharias, Gabrielle, Nathan, Michael, Wesley, Lucas, Miria, Benjamin, and Haley.
Jeannine was an exceptional mother and had a deep love of all children. She focused her energies on raising her four children and supporting their interests in school, 4-H, sports, music, and the many, varied family pets over the years. Jeannine had a quick wit and saw the humor in any situation.
She was a voracious reader as well as a prolific writer and poet about her growing family and life in general. In recent years her favorite reading materials were the letters that Richard sent her while in Marine Corps Boot Camp, these letters were never far from her chair. Jeannine considered her greatest achievement to be her children, whom she loved unconditionally.
She loved family gatherings, holidays, and was a terrific cook in her day. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her great joy. Her love of family was extended to all the children who attended the Paxton Daycare Center where she served as Director for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Roger Weeks, and her dear sister, Jacqui Kimmons, brother-in-laws, Robert Bartholomew, MD, and Joseph Kimmons. A funeral service will be held at the Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells Street in Paxton, Illinois on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Debra Slack officiating. Burial will follow at the Ridgeland Township Cemetery in Thawville, Illinois.
A visitation starting at 10 a.m. will be held immediately prior to the funeral. A heartfelt thank you is extended to the wonderful staff at Carle Hospice especially Jeannine’s exceptional Hospice nurse, Valerie. The family is grateful for the compassion shown to Jeannine by the entire staff, especially the dedicated nursing staff and CNAs at Country Health and Rehab in Gifford, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Carle Hospice.
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