Jane Irene Downes Hummell, 75, of Burlington, died Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Danville Care Center in Danville.
Born April 2, 1947, in Monmouth, Ill., she was the daughter of Maurice Roger and Grace Ketchum Downes and grew up on a farm in Henderson County, Ill. On August 18, 1968, she married Jerry Gordon Hummell at Rozetta Baptist Church in Little York, Ill. Jerry died Oct. 30, 2017.
She graduated from Union High School in Biggsville, Ill. in 1965 and moved to Burlington. She graduated from Burlington Business College.
She worked in the business offices of various companies, including J.I. Case and Chittenden and Eastman, until they closed. She then began work as a para-educator in the Burlington Community School District, working with severe and profoundly disabled children, a job she loved, until she retired in 2009. She was also a talented baker; working from home, she decorated and sold fancy cakes and cookies for all occasions.
Jane was a member of Oak Street Baptist Church, where she taught children's Sunday School for more than 20 years, worked in the nursery, and worked with Awana youth. She enjoyed socializing with her Red Hat sisters, traveling with her sister, Bonnie, reading romance novels, watching old TV shows and John Wayne movies, and playing with her cat, Kitty.
She is survived by her son, Jason Gordon Hummell of Burlington; grandson, Evan Nichols-Green of Pana, Ill.; two sisters, Marie Dilts and Bonnie Downes of v ; brother-in-law, Fred Hummell of Burlington; nieces, nephew, and cousins.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, sister Elaine, and brother-in-law, Richard Dilts.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The memorial service for Mrs. Hummell will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Memorials may be made, in her name, to the Alzheimer's Association.