Mary Jane (Drake) Wilson

Jane Wilson, formerly of Dixon, passed away on September 25, 2013, surrounded by her loving family at age 93 while living at Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Living Center in DeKalb, IL.  She was born on September 29, 1919, in Urbana, IL to Leonard and Noma (Carlton) Drake and raised in Benton, IL.  She moved from Benton to Dixon, IL looking for work, which she found at the Freeman Shoe Company.  She married Olin “John” Wilson September 20, 1939, in Clinton, Iowa.  Their life together was shortened when Olin passed away September 27, 1962, at the age of 42.  After Olin’s death, Jane lived in an apartment complex which she had built and managed and maintained the premises on her own.

Jane worked at many of the ladies clothing stores in downtown Dixon during the 1960’s – 1980’s.  She also worked at many of the restaurants in the area.  After her retirement she continued to find new interests to keep herself occupied such as crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, and ceramics.  Even before she retired she would enjoy playing some golf.  As family members, we all have many crocheted afghans to remind us of her handy work.  One afghan that no one knew about was found in her closet with her great-granddaughter’s name on it for the day she gets married.

Jane was an amazing woman in many ways and also because of all the things she accomplished on her own for all those years without Olin at her side.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her five brothers and one sister.  She is survived by her daughter Sharon (Monte) Saunders, Visalia, CA; her son Loren (Laurie) Wilson, Malta, IL; her grandchildren Todd Saunders, Los Angeles, CA, Lisa (Bill) Hayter, Exeter, CA, Mark Wilson, Durand, IL, and Mike (Tracy) Wilson, Freeport, IL; her great- grandchildren Kyle Hayter, Exeter, CA, Amber Hayter, Exeter, CA, and Joel Wilson, Durand, IL.

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 28, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Dixon, IL.  Funeral services will immediately follow at Chapel Hill and burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Dixon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Jane Wilson to either the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.chapelhilldixon.com

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