Janet Schroeder

Janet Lynn Schroeder

Age 50 of Wilmington and formerly of Lockport, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 24, 2017 at her home.

Born June 6, 1967 in Joliet, Janet is a daughter of Elaine (Segatto) Studer and the late Raymond G. Studer. She was a graduate of Lockport Township High School with the Class of 1985. Janet enjoyed cooking, painting and gardening. She also took pleasure in feeding Bob the swan, exercising and spending time in the sun.

Anyone who knew Janet knew that she often struggled with her own battles, but anyone who knew her also knows it was when she was winning those battles that we could all see the real Janet. That side of her that won them would brighten everyone’s day - she loved the sunshine, and seemed to carry it with her wherever she went. It was common for her to walk in somewhere with a huge smile and a “Hey, Sweetheart!” and you instantly knew she was truly happy to see you, and you couldn’t help but be happy to see her too! She pretty much wrote the playbook on small acts of kindness, whether it be a post-it note with a simple ‘I Love You’ or a homemade cake for your birthday. Baking was one of her specialties. There would be dessert recipes that most people in their right mind would never even attempt that she wouldn’t hesitate to try, and most of the time, master it! But always, she would put her heart and soul into whatever she made and always had someone special in mind to share it with. In fact, she put her heart and soul into everything she did. She was never caught up in material things or money, but loved most of all to create things. From the baking and cooking, to gardening, and painting, it brought her the most joy to turn something ordinary into something extraordinarily beautiful.  Her green thumb made everything she planted flourish. If she got a hold of a paintbrush, you better believe something was about to get a dash of her love, a touch of her creativity, and all of a sudden a dull or broken object was transformed into a treasured piece of the canvas that was her life.  Janet was lucky enough to share her life with someone who she loved very much, and who loved her back all the way to the end. Dave stood by her when she would make loving her difficult, and be there waiting when she made it effortless. While beauty comes in many different forms – a sweet note, a painted rock, a blooming flower, a layer of carefully piped icing – the most beautiful part of it all is the love that shines through all of those things. The best way to remember Janet is to remember her love and her spirit shining through all that she did, and maybe we should all take a page out of the book of her life.

Survivors include her mother Elaine Studer of Lockport; daughter Jenna (Simon) Staub of Sugar Grove; her life partner of 22 years, Dave Thomas of Wilmington, and brother Tom (Sandy) Studer and sister Karyn (Kevin) Kirk, both of Lockport, as well as several aunts, uncles and nieces.

Janet was preceded in death by her father Raymond (2014).

Cremation rites have been accorded, and a Celebration of Janet's Life will be held Sunday August 20, 2017 at 106 South Water Street, Wilmington, Illinois, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Food and beverage will be provided.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Janet’s memory to her family for their distribution.

Family and friends may sign the guestbook, upload photographs or share Janet’s memorial page online, by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Cremation services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington ( 815-476-2181 ).