Mrs. Janet Kathleen (Wharton) Cummings, 82, of Galesburg, passed away Friday December 1, 2023, at Richard Owen’s Hospice Home in Peoria, while surrounded by her loving family.
Janet was born on June 10, 1941, in Decatur, the daughter of Leland Stanford and Mary Catherine (White) Wharton. Janet married the love of her life, Jan Garfield Cummings, on December 31, 1981, and spent 53 years together.
After moving to Galesburg in 1965, Janet’s employment until retirement included Gale Products, OMC, Maytag, Knox County State’s Attorney Office; retiring as office manager and bookkeeper with Barash and Stoerzbach Law Firm.
Left to cherish Janet’s memory is her husband: Jan; her sister Ruth Evelyn (Rolland) Maser of Tallahassee, FL; her nieces Debra (Gary) Robinson of Havana, FL; Terri (Delmar) Lowry of Tucson, AZ; Laurie (Dale) Swanson of Lake Havasu, AZ; great niece, Jessica Lowry of Tucson, AZ; and many cousins. She is also survived by her sister-in-law JoAnn Cummings of Monmouth, IL; nephews Bryan (Diane) Cummings of Ripley, MS; Darren (Katy) Cummings of Hayward, WI; Fletcher (Noel) Cummings of Monmouth, IL; nieces Christina (Richard) Stevens of Monmouth, IL, Angela (Jason) Shriver of West Jordan, UT; Elise (Todd) Main of Rio, IL; 13 great nephews and 9 great nieces. Janet is preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, her nephew, and brother-in-law, J. Roger Cummings.
Janet loved the outdoors. She spent most of her free time tending to her many gardens, as well as raising and releasing hundreds of monarch butterflies. Janet was recognized as a Master Gardener as well as a Master Naturalist by the U of I Knox County Extension. Janet was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post #285.
The visitation will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM with the Funeral Service to follow; Deacon Michael Crummer to officiate the service. Burial will occur at East Linwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society, or an organization of the donor’s choice. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at h-p-w.com.
