Janet J. Gresham

Janet Carol Johnson Gresham, age 85, of Peoria, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 12:45 am in Peoria County. She was born December 5, 1938 in Monmouth, IL to Carl and Paula (Flach) Johnson. She married Gary Grant Gresham on October 12, 1957 in Peoria. She is survived by her two children, Kevin (Kathy) Gresham of Austin, TX and Jennifer Feeney (partner David King) of Peoria, her granddaughter Bethany Gresham of Denver, CO, her sister Joyce Steinbach of Peoria, her brother-in-law and wife, Stuart & Pat (Stuber) Gresham of Springfield, IL, two nephews, Trevor (Cathy) Steinbach of Gettysburg, PA, Neil Steinbach of Peoria, and many grand & great nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister and brother-in-law, Harold & Phyllis (Johnson) Myers, brother-in-law Herbert Steinbach and nephew, Rodney Gresham. Janet was a licensed practical nurse at Proctor Hospital in Peoria from 1967 to 1974. She loved to sew and owned and operated “Draperies by Jan” for many years. In the early 1960’s Janet created and designed a costume for her husband, the local children TV show host, “Mr. Toyman”. She also designed and sewed uniforms for the first-time ever marching band at Concordia Lutheran School. Janet later took her sewing skills to a whole new level, quilting. She was a member of the Old Crows Quilting Club and the Prairie Points Quilt Club. She entered and won several quilting competitions in the Central Illinois area. An internationally and nationally renowned nature and pictorial photographer, Janet won many awards for her photos and innovative techniques. As a member of the Peoria Color Camera Club, she was president and vice-president, and she judged national and international competitions as well as teaching photography. Janet also belonged to the Central Illinois Camera Club Association and the Photographic Society of America. She loved to shoot! Janet was the family genealogist and loved to travel especially through the National Parks out west, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, Africa and Mexico. Jan was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church on Allen Road in Peoria. She will be buried next to her beloved husband at the Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria, IL. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date. Schmidt-Haller Burial and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements. A special thanks to VITAS Hospice Care, especially Lacey and Jackie, the staff of Liberty Village/Manor Court, the staff of St Francis Woods and the staff at Carle Health/Methodist Hospital in care of Janet. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.schmidthaller.com.

Janet J. Gresham

December 5, 1938 - January 16, 2024