Nancy Jane Halstead Stout

Nancy Jane Halstead Stout passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 31, 2012, having had care from the wonderful nursing home staff and TIP Hospice team at Pleasant Hill Village in Girard, Illinois. Jane was born October 19, 1919, in Dale County, Alabama, the daughter of Nallie Dora Galloway Halstead and Charles Carson Halstead. She moved to Eufaula, Alabama, as a young child, where she lived until her marriage to John Sprague Stout in 1943. After John�s service in the 82nd and 101st Airborne, they moved to Illinois to farm land that has been in the Stout family since 1836. John passed away in 2000. For the past decade, Jane has spent her summers in Illinois on her farm and winters with North Carolina daughters. Jane attended Montevallo College, which is now part of the University of Alabama. She received multiple Masters Degrees from the University of Illinois in Springfield, formerly Sangamon State University. For over 25 years, Jane taught history, math and other subjects in the Ball-Chatham School District. Jane was a member of Chatham Presbyterian Church, serving as pianist, organist, and music director for many years, as well as having served as an Elder of the church. She is the author of numerous books, some published and many not yet published. She was a member of the Captain William Penny Chapter, National Society and Daughters of the American Revolution, descendants of those who fought in the American Revolution. Her interest in history and genealogy led her to research both the Stout-Sprague and Halstead-Galloway family histories, creating a scroll of ancestors back past Charlemagne and approximately 5 more generations. Jane also helped organize Central IL School Regional History contests for many years. She was also a member of PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization). At the time of her death, Jane was survived by her four daughters: Joan Johnson-Blackwell (husband Bob) of Lewistown, IL � Joan joined her mother in their heavenly home on April 2, 2012, after a long illness; Phyllis Stout and Melissa Stout of Carrboro, NC; and Janifer Stout Day of Chatham, IL. She is survived by eight grandchildren: Jo Ellen Johnson of Springfield, IL; John Scheitler (wife Marlo) of Gastonia, NC; Andrewe Johnson (wife Stephanie) of Lewistown, IL; Jennifer Scheitler Waters (husband Lee) of Carrboro, NC; Lindsay Kinkade-Gigantino (husband Joshua) of Tempe, AZ; Phyllis Day Kastle (husband Alan) of Westchester, IL; Amanda Kinkade Obusan (husband Dan) of New York, NY; and Joshua Day of Chatham, IL. Also surviving are three step-grandchildren, Sarah Kinkade Meyer-de Ville (husband Jeremie) of San Mateo, CA; Barry Blackwell (wife Teresa) of Lewistown, IL; Steve Blackwell (wife Pam) of Lewistown, IL; plus many beloved great grandchildren and step-great grandchildren whom she readily embraced with lots of �Grandma Jane� hugs. Jane was pre-deceased by her parents and her brothers and sisters: Bessie White, Peasie Thompson, Bessie White, Myrtle Jones, Daniel Halstead, and Rex Halstead. Visitation will be held at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, IL, from 4:00-7:00PM on Friday, April 6, 2012. The memorial celebration of life for Jane begins with visitation at 1:00PM, until time of service at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 7, at Chatham Presbyterian Church, 1835 East Walnut, Chatham. Burial in the Stout Cemetery with John and her deceased baby granddaughter, Jocelyn, will follow the service. Though she loved flowers and cards, please consider donations in her memory to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.