Photo courtesy of Baier Family Funeral Services - Paxton
Jan 27, 1933 - Oct 10, 2024
Tammy and family, so sorry to hear of the passing of Grandma Jean. Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
John & Beth Erlinger
October 11, 2024 | O´Fallon, IL | Friend
So sorry to hear of the passing of Jean. She was our neighbor and best friend. Mike and I thought the world of her. She was a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. Mike & Rita Hilligoss
Mike & Rita Hilligoss
October 10, 2024 | Buckley, Il, IL | Friend
Jean Marie Drilling, 91, of Buckley passed away at 4:34 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Heritage Health, Hoopeston.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 13, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main St., Buckley with Rev. J. Kevin Wyckoff officiating. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Buckley. Baier Family Funeral Services, Buckley is assisting the family with arrangements.
Visitation will be 1:00-2:00 p.m. Sunday at the church.
Jean was born January 27, 1933 in Oak Park, Illinois the daughter of William Wegner, Jr. and Alma Lietz Wegner. She was baptized February 19, 1933 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Melrose Park, Illinois by Pastor Paul Kluender.
Her mother, Alma, passed away suddenly on May 27, 1933 at age 31 when Jean was four months old. Alma’s older sister, Lillian Knueppel and husband, Len of Melrose Park along with other family members raised Jean until she was three years old when Clyde and Hilda (Lietz) Harweger (another sister) of Buckley raised Jean from that point. Within a year, in February 1937 Jean was joined by Clyde and Hilda’s son Jerry. The two of them were raised as brother and sister.
Jean attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Buckley and was confirmed March 30, 1947 by Pastor E.M. Goltermann. Her memory verse is Philippians 1:2. Jean graduated from Buckley Community High School in 1951.
She was employed as a telephone switchboard operator after high school and was a cook for over 30 years at various locations including Hicks Plaza, Gilman.
She married Roy Drilling April 13, 1952. A son, Terry was born February 9, 1953 and he preceded her in death December 8, 2009. Jean cooked, did housekeeping and medical care for friend and neighbor Wayne Hill for several years until his passing May 22, 2015.
She played piano and clarinet and admired Elvis, his music and gospel songs. Jean enjoyed church music and hymns and attending her church and bible study.
She is survived by daughter-in-law, Toni Drilling of Tampico, Illinois; three granddaughters, Tammy (Shane) Hannah of Troy, Illinois, Tiffany (Sean) Erhardt of Arlington, Texas, Tobi (Brett) Schipper of Hillsdale, Illinois; six great-grandchildren, Adrianne, Braelyn, Brad, Ian, Mia, and Emma; and several other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Terry Drilling; and brother, Jerry Harweger.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Buckley or the St. John’s Ladies Aid. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.
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