Janette A Skaer

Janette Audrey Skaer, nee Meidinger, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, IL surrounded by her loving family at her bedside. She was born on July 11, 1929 in Belleville, IL to Adolph and Linda Meidinger. She was the youngest of four children. Her oldest brother Cletus, born in 1910, died in infancy. Her sister Myrtle was 16 years older than her, and Janette was the 4 year old flower girl at her sister’s wedding. Her brother Edward, was about 7 years older, but sadly he was killed in action during WWII while Janette was still in high school. Janette’s first job at the age of 16 was working for Sears & Roebuck. She then worked other jobs including the Illinois Power Company, and a Hotel. The job she recounted tales from most often, was working as a secretary for the U.S. Marshall at the Federal Court House. She typed and took dictation via shorthand at nearly court reporter speed. She worked at this job many years until she was married and had her first child. Janette met her husband Willard on a blind date on Valentine’s Day in 1959. He proposed to her that same year on her birthday in July, and they were married on November 14, 1959. They celebrated their 64-year wedding anniversary in 2023, before Willard’s passing in January 2024. Together they raised three children, who blessed them with six grandchildren. Janette’s greatest joys in life were raising her three daughters, watching her grandchildren grow up, and being active in the church. She loved singing in the church choir, teaching children’s Sunday School classes, she was a girl scout leader, a room mother, and a high school band parent. She went back to work when her children were grown and worked a variety of jobs, ending with the Parker Pen Company where she worked until she retired. She loved this job, and everyone who knew her loved the nice pen sets they received as a benefit of her working there. Janette was also an avid Cardinals baseball fan growing up, and she was always excited to attend a game in St. Louis with her Uncle Clarence. When her husband accepted a new job in the Chicago area, she reluctantly converted to a division rival, the Chicago Cubs, and happily cheered them on to their World Series win in 2016. Her favorite player was Anthony Rizzo. Janette was preceded in death by her devoted husband Willard O. Skaer. She is survived by her three daughters Judith Kelly, Deborah (Alfredo) Ricci, Angela (Robert) Schneible, and her six grandchildren, Audrey (Dan) Wessell, Lewis Ricci, Miranda Ricci, Michelle (Nick) Slager, Alyssa Hoffmann, and Michael Kelly. She will be dearly missed by them all. Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 12:00 until 3:00 p.m. at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Her memorial service will begin around 2:00 p.m. The burial will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 12:00 p.m. located at Valhalla Gardens, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL 62223. Arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.

Janette A Skaer

July 11, 1929 - January 12, 2025