Janet B. Vermeire

Wyoming – Janet B. Vermeire, 93, of Wyoming, formerly of Kewanee, passed away at 3:40 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2026, at Hillcrest Home in Geneseo.

Janet was born on April 16, 1932, in Buda, Illinois, the daughter of Jay Harry and Ethel M. (Foster) Bangtson. She married Bernard Vermeire on June 4, 1955, in Sheffield; he preceded her in death on July 18, 2019.

Surviving are one daughter, Denise (Kevin) Mercer of Wyoming; four grandchildren, Wayne (Aaren) Vermeire of Thibodaux, LA, Brian (Pamela) Vermeire of Denham Springs, LA, Seth (Nichole) Mercer of Wyoming, and Ben (Kristina) Mercer of Seatonville; five great grandchildren, Owen Mercer, Chloe Mercer, Michael Barrett, Caleb Barrett, and Jameson Vermeire; one sister-in-law, Donna Vermeire of Geneseo; and several nieces and nephews.  She is also preceded in death by her parents; and one son, Kevin Vermeire; two brothers, Foster (Edna) Bangtson and Robert Bangtson who died in his youth; two sisters, Esther (Raymond) Philhower and Elaine (Richard) Cambron; and one brother-in-law, Francis Vermeire.

Janet worked at Illinois Power Co. in Kewanee for 20 years, retiring in December of 1990. She loved horses, chocolate, the Green Bay Packers, being outdoors, and taking walks around Wyoming with her husband. Together, they also enjoyed traveling to the southern states in the winter, especially to Louisiana to be near their grandchildren. Janet was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Wyoming, the church’s Altar and Rosary Society, the Wyoming American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, and the former Wyoming Betterment Association. She also volunteered at the former Rock Island Depot Museum.

Her funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Wyoming. Fr. Corey Krengiel will officiate. Visitation will be an hour prior to mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Dominic Cemetery in Wyoming. Haskell Funeral & Cremation Services in Wyoming is assisting with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wyoming American Legion Women’s Auxiliary or the Wyoming Fire Protection District. Condolences for Janet’s family may be left at www.haskellfuneral.com.

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