Jean Ann McGuire

Jean (Jeanie) Ann McGuire, of Minonk, passed away on February 3, surrounded by many loved ones and her beloved cat, Vega. Jeanie was born on November 13, 1954, in King City, Missouri, to Laura (Hollopeter) and Raymond Watts. She married Charles McGuire on December 4, 1972, at First Baptist Church in Minonk. She is survived by her beloved aunt, Bonnie Sue Mitchell (Wayne); her sisters, Floretta Dorssom, Bonnie Cuthbertson, and Rose Nieves; and her children, Mindy (James) Foote, Dan (Alexus) McGuire, Angel (Brian) Langley, and Doug McGuire. Jeanie’s pride and joy were her grandchildren: Brooke (Ethan), Kiara, Jacob, D.J., Christopher, and Ariana. She loved her cousins and her large Watts family. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she cherished as her own, along with numerous “bonus” children and grandchildren she welcomed along the way. You know who you are—and she loved you dearly. Jeanie was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Baker; her brother, Billy Watts; her parents, Laura and Raymond Watts; her beloved foster parents, Ernie and Mary; her sisters-in-law, Betty Taylor, Judy Wray, and Patty Chaffin; her great-nephew, Anthony May; her great-nieces, Barbie Pilcher and Marissa Lansdown; Nate Mitchell, and her grandson, Gale Leonard. Jeanie endured a difficult upbringing, spending years in foster homes, and she faced many health challenges throughout her life. Though she experienced hardship, she met life with extraordinary kindness and love. Quiet and calm by nature, she embodied the true spirit of a redhead—steady and gentle, yet fiery and feisty when she needed to be. A lifelong caregiver, Jeanie’s compassion was shaped by her own childhood. Having often gone without socks, she made sure others never did. Socks became her favorite gift and a symbol of her care for others. In her memory, the family encourages acts of kindness, gifting socks, or donating them to a local food pantry or homeless shelter. Jeanie loved cooking and baking, serving and teaching at First Baptist Church, and spent many years caring for others through nursing home and private healthcare work. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Lexy for the love and kindness she poured into caring for Jeanie, creating a home rooted in love, comfort, and dignity. They are also deeply thankful for the compassionate care provided by the OSF palliative care and hospice teams. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. (not “Watts time”) on Saturday, March 7, at First Baptist Church, 300 E. 5th St., Minonk, IL 61760, with Pastor James Wolfe officiating. “Let go and let God.”

Jean Ann McGuire

November 13, 1954 - February 3, 2026