Janet Elaine (Downey) Spears

Janet Elaine (Downey) Spears

September 5, 1933 – November 4, 2018

Janet E. Spears, 85, of Chandler, AZ, went to be with her husband, Keith as well as her son, Bruce and daughter, Darci. Janet died peacefully on November 4, 2018 at Chandler Regional Hospital.

Janet was born September 5, 1933 in Chambersburg, IL the daughter of Enoch “Nick” and Marguerite (Riley) Downey.  She graduated from Kewanee High School in 1951 and settled in with her husband Keith on a family farm in Annawan, IL. After raising four children, Janet decided it was her turn to go to college. She graduated from Bradley University and received a Phd from St Ambrose College. Janet was a professor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College for over 20 years and worked part-time at Wells Fargo Bank. She enjoyed reading, traveling and spending time with her family.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Roger Spears and Mim Hershey, Tyler, Texas and son, Paul Spears, Chandler, AZ; four grandchildren, Mariah Spears, Burbank, CA, Autumn Spears, Peru, IL, Dana Adams, LaSalle, IL and Mindie Loebach, North Carolina; and five great-grandchildren, Byran, Cole, Koregan, Owen and Ava.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, her son, Bruce and daughter, Darci as well as two brothers, Richard Downey and Kenneth Downey.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, November 20

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, 2018 at 5:00 pm at St Matthew United Methodist Church, followed by a coffee/dessert/beverage service.

Funeral services and burial will be at Fairview United Methodist Church, rural Annawan at a later date.  Memorials may be made to St Matthew United Methodist Church or directly to the American Cancer Society in her name.

She was a strong role model, loving mother, kind neighbor, and dear friend.  We will miss her dearly.