Janice Lurelle Wilhour

Janice Lurelle Wilhour
(August 21, 1933 – August 18, 2021)

Janice Lurelle Wilhour , 87, of Beecher City, IL, passed away at 3:35 a.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2021 in her residence.

Funeral Services will be held at 7:15 p.m. Monday, August 23, 2021 in Kaskaskia Church, Beecher City, IL with Pastor Nick Robertson officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, August 23, 2021 at Kaskaskia Church. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in Rosamond Grove Cemetery, Rosamond, IL. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Kaskaskia Church, Beecher City, IL or the Audubon Society.

Lurelle was born on August 21, 1933 in Forest City, IL, the daughter of James Leslie & Pauline Augusta (Proehl) Whitaker. She graduated from Forest City High School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics Education from the University of Illinois. She later earned her teaching certificate for elementary education.  Lurelle taught fourth grade at Cowden Elementary School for 26 years until her retirement in 1994. She married Keith Wilson Wilhour on December 24, 1955, and he preceded her in death on February 23, 2021. Lurelle was a longtime member of the Cowden United Methodist Church and attended the Kaskaskia Church, near Beecher City, IL.  She was also a member of the Audubon Society.  Lurelle enjoyed sewing, bird counting, and working in her flowers.   She later became a Master Gardener through the University of Illinois Extension Program.

Lurelle is survived by her daughter, Julie Barnhart (Steve) of North Olmsted, OH; son, Joel Wilhour of Jay, FL; three sisters, Eloise Golden of Manito, IL, Carole Bertram (Galen) of Freeport, IL, and Gayle Craig (William) of Pekin, IL; grandchildren, Ben Barnhart (Liz) and Summer Wilhour; and great grandchildren, Ezra and Silas Barnhart.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Keith; and brother-in-law, Duane Golden.