Janis M. Craig

Janis M. Craig was welcomed home by her creator, the Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 6, 2024, in the comfort of her family. Janis May (Battersby) Craig was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 15, 1930. She was the third child of Fred and Florence (Greenwood) Battersby. She attended grade school in Berkley, Michigan until her family moved to Kewanee in 1941. In Kewanee she attended Central School and then graduated from Kewanee High School in 1947.  She met the love of her life, Marvin W. Craig, in 1949 at the YMCA. They were married on August 18, 1950. They made their home on the Craig family farm in Saxon, IL. where they welcomed their only daughter and light of their lives, Denise Kay (Craig)Hodge on May 12, 1954.

Janis was a professional business woman who spent her career as a legal secretary for an area attorney, Deputy Treasurer at the Henry County Courthouse and County Circuit Clerk’s Office, and Executive Secretary for Andris Waunee Farm. She also worked for the Voter’s Registration Office and the Kewanee Driver’s License Facility. She was a member of the Kewanee Business and Professional Women’s Club where she was a past President and honored as Business Woman of the Year. She was most recently crowned Queen of Hearts at Kewanee Care on Valentine’s Day 2024. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary Post #31, and En Bon Traine Club of Saxon. She was a member and treasurer for the Friends of the Kewanee Public Library where she was named volunteer of the year in 2015. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, researching her ancestry, reading, and being involved in church and community groups. Janis was an educated, classy, strong woman who was always put together with her business suits and high heels.

Janis lived by faith, not by sight. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Kewanee, IL where she served the Lord and practiced her faith. She was the secretary of the Harry Anderson Youth Trust with the United Methodist Church, past President of Ruth Circle, Director of Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, and active in many other church committees.

Janis lived a glorious life rich in faith, family, friends, and knowledge. She lived for her family, her daughter, Denise K. Hodge of Kewanee. She cherished her grandchildren, Dena Hodge-Bates (Austin Bates) and Trafton Hodge (Natosha Hodge). She devoted her life to caring for them and teaching them life lessons through faith and history. Janis was overjoyed to be a great grandmother to her great grandchildren; Austin Kraft (Abby Masterson) of Bradford, Kelli Kraft of Kewanee, Marlee Bates of Neponset, Halie Roberson of Princeton, Corbin Hodge, Cora Hodge, and Collin Hodge, all of Kewanee. Her most recent joy was learning that she soon would be a great-great grandmother in September 2024. Janis had many nieces and nephews, Kathy (Baker)McMahon (Bill) of Naperville; Michelle (Baker)Price (Robert) of Fort Worth, TX; Dr. Robert Baker (Lynette) of Kalamazoo, MI; Brad Battersby (June) of Sarasota, FL; Brick Battersby (Monica) of Tacoma, WA. She also had many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Florence (Greenwood) Battersby of Kewanee; husband, Marvin W. Craig of Kewanee; sister, Ilene Baker of Kewanee; brother, James Battersby of Palm Spring, CA; and brother-in-law, Robert Baker of Kewanee.

Janis leaves behind a family that cherished her knowledge, strength, faith and love. In her own words, “What really matters is loving God and the people in our lives.” She will be missed and lives on in our memories. She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony surrounded by family at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Kewanee. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church and left at the funeral home. Please leave an online condolence for Janis’ family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.

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