Janette “Jan” Renee Illingworth, 57, Winona Lake, passed away unexpectedly at 6:47 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at Parkview Regional Medical Center of Fort Wayne.

She was born on June 24, 1962, in Sumpter, North Carolina to Carol (Suber) Whitmeyer and Lyle Whitmeyer. On April 19, 1986, in Sun City, Ariz. she was married to Mark Lee Illingworth, who survives.

Jan moved to Warsaw, in 1986 and quickly made this her new home and community. She was a familiar face to many people who knew her from working for Warsaw Community School Corporation as well as Grace College in Winona Lake. She enjoyed working with all the children at the Good Shepherd Pre-School, they kept her on her toes and always brought a smile to her face. Jan enjoyed many hobbies especially stamping, cross stitching and she was a huge dog lover. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 33 years, Mark Lee Illingworth, Winona Lake; brother, Jerry Whitmeyer, Las Vegas, Nev.; two sisters: Beth (Ken) Mauldin, San Antonio, Texas; and Dawn (Steve) Rathburn, Phoenix, Ariz.; and her mother: Carol Whitmeyer, El Mirage, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her father, Lyle Whitmeyer.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 from 4-7 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Jan’s life will be celebrated with a service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by her brother-in-law, Reverend Curtis Illingworth. Burial will follow with a private graveside service at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Jan’s name may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, Chicago/Northern IL Office, 55 E. Monroe Street, Suite 3420, Chicago, Illinois 60603 and would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.