Janet A. Siegel

Janet A. Siegel

November 10, 1935 - August 7, 2024

SUN CITY WEST, Arizona - Janet A. Siegel, 88, of Sun City West, AZ, passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Surprise Health and Rehabilitation Center, Surprise, AZ.

She was born November 10, 1935, in Decatur, IL, to Ward A. and Inez A. Wakefield. She married James A. Easter on January 4, 1997, in Delavan, IL, and he survives.

Also surviving are three sons: Nick (Susan Millea) Siegel of Austin, TX, Greg Siegel of Sun City West, AZ, and Scott (Kelly) Siegel of DeWitt, IA; two stepsons: Jeff Easter of Phoenix, AZ, and Mark (Leslie Brown) Easter of Fort Collins, CO; six grandchildren: Simone Siegel and Hope Siegel of Chicago, IL, Grace Siegel of Tucson, AZ, Hillary Siegel of Austin, TX, Katelyn Siegel of St. Paul, OR, and Colin Siegel of Thornton, CO; one sister, Linda L. (Charles) Thomas of Farmer City, IL; an one brother-in-law, John (Peg) Easter of Oregon. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Nicholas P. Siegel in 1995; one son, Victor Siegel in 2017; one sister, Joyce (Edward) Schmid in 2001; and one sister-in-law, Ann Easter (Tom) Haugstad in 2023.

Janet graduated from Illinois State University in 1964 with a BSE degree. She taught elementary school for 35 years in Illinois and retired in 1992. She was a member of IEA and NEA; sustaining member (Golden Sister) of Alpha Delta Kappa; member of First Presbyterian Church of Delavan, IL; affiliate member of Desert Palms Presbyterian Church in Sun City West, AZ; 20-year volunteer for work camps with Presbyterian Mariners in Mission; and a member of Sun City West Basketeers for many years.

Janet was a sensitive and gifted kindergarten teacher for many years and enjoyed working with children. She liked to travel and participated in many Presbyterian work camps across the country with her husband and friends. She enjoyed sewing and crafts, especially basketry and quilting, and the gifts of her artwork continue to enrich the lives of her family and friends. She also liked reading, gardening, cooking, jigsaw puzzles, dominoes, listening to music, casino slots, and shopping estate sales and gift shops. She loved the wildlife of the Illinois woodlands and the Arizona desert, especially hummingbirds. Earlier in life, she enjoyed fishing and hunting, holding the family record for number of deer harvested, whether by shotgun or car. She especially loved visits form her children and grandchildren, and her little white chihuahua Angel has been a favorite companion over the last nine years.

Cremation has been accorded. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Illinois Education Association Foundation; First Presbyterian Church in Delavan, IL; Desert Palms Presbyterian Church in Sun City West, AZ; and the National Wildlife Federation.