Janet M Jaekel

Janet Marilyn Jaekel (nee Schlichting) passed away on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, after living a full, joyful, and inspiring 96 years — a life defined by strength, faith, generosity, and a deep devotion to family and friends; and one that she insisted was to be celebrated.

Janet was born on May 28, 1929, in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin to Judge F.H. and Karen Schlichting. She attended Ferry Hall School in Lake Forest, Illinois, before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1951. As a proud member of Gamma Phi Beta, she formed friendships and cultivated a commitment to community and service that would carry throughout her life.

She began her career at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and later dedicated decades of service to the Illinois Department of Public Aid, where she served faithfully until her retirement in 1994. Her work was more than a job — it was a reflection of her character. She advocated for underserved individuals and families facing hardship, steadfast in her belief that all people deserved dignity, support, and opportunity. Her compassion for those in need continued long after retirement through her service and charitable giving.

Above all, Janet was devoted to her family. She raised her four children, mostly as a single mother, with courage, resilience, and determination. She built a stable, loving home in Orland Park, Illinois, where she lived for more than 60 years. That home became the heart of the family. Her granddaughters kept her up too late on many occasions when they gathered there on college breaks; their wild laughter always a welcome noise to "Gma J."

She was immensely proud of those nine granddaughters, whom she encouraged to be educated, independent, strong-willed, and fearless. These women will carry forward the example Janet so powerfully set and will instill these values in the next generation — her nine great-grandchildren, who brought her tremendous joy in her final years.

Janet lived a rich and busy life. She loved to cook, travel, play piano, enjoy art and music, and gather family and friends around her. She was deeply devoted to her faith and her church community at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Palos Park, IL. She was a loyal friend, a dedicated participant in her bridge club, and an engaged supporter of the Orland Park Public Library. Janet also kept her mind sharp and curious. She was an expert at Solitaire, was always reading a new book on her Kindle, never missed a People magazine or Chicago Tribune crossword puzzle, and completed an equally admirable number of jigsaw puzzles.

She is survived by her four children: Joan (Theodore) Karrison, Thomas (Mary Kay) Jaekel, Robert (Anna O’Hare) Jaekel, and William (Karen) Jaekel; nine granddaughters: Brittany (Dan) Hibbs, Elizabeth (Scott) Tucker, Anna Karrison, Meghan Jaekel, Kelsey (Christian) Lucas, Sarah (Jordan) Mertes, Bridget (John Catalano) Jaekel, Shannon Jaekel, and Mackenzie (Jeremy) Brinkman; and nine great-grandchildren: Avery and Peyton Hibbs, Colby and Rowan Tucker, Zoey Zuanetto, Thomas and Madeline Mertes, Cooper Catalano-Jaekel, and Calvin Brinkman.

Janet is now joyfully reunited in heaven with those who preceded her in death, including her parents; her stepmother, Kathleen Cooney Schlichting; her brothers, Philip and Henry Schlichting; and her beloved grandson, Daniel Jaekel.

Her family celebrates not only the beautiful years she lived, but the incredible legacy she leaves behind.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration, located at 12219 S. 86th Avenue, Palos Park, IL, on March 2, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

Following the visitation, a memorial service will take place from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on the same day.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

The Church of the Transfiguration, Palso Park

http://transfigpalos.org

American Brain Tumor Association

http://give.abta.org