Jane Koenig Slifer, 67, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones after a long hard battle with cancer.

A celebration of life is planned Saturday, June 20 th at the home of Wayne and Jane Slifer , 314 County Highway 25, Mode IL 62444 . Because of COVID-19 regulations, friends are encouraged to pay their respects per a 'drive-through' receiving line from 9am to 11am. A meal for the family will follow. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Jane was born April 3, 1953 to Kenneth 'Red' Koenig and Martha (Heath) Koenig in Effingham, Illinois. She graduated from Effingham High School in 197 1 . Graduation night she met Wayne, the man she would spend the next 47 years with. Wayne and Jane married on December 9, 1972 and had 3 kids: Chris , Sherry , and Kari. She was Aunt Jane to many ; some she wasn't even related to.

Jane was a home-maker for the first 19 years of marriage. She made friends with neighbors by selling Avon. She was also a n in- demand house cleaner for many years. She took a job at World Color Press until it shut down. She took the opportunity to go back to school to earn an A ssociate D egree in H uman S ervices. She used her degree to do in-home health care. She had a special way with children and the elderly.

Her dream job started when she earned the title Grandma. The first three babies came in a whirlwind. Gracie, Mollie, and Harrison were all born within six days of each other. Grandma Jane couldn't stop smiling, even while she was tasked with watching all 3. Thomas and Camille made five grandkids under the age of four in her care. She did get a five year break, which she was ready for, before adding her last grandbaby, William.

Jane is survived by her husband, Wayne of Mode; children - Chris (Shelli) Slifer of Mode, Sherry (Jim) Ahrling of Plainview , and Kari (Tony) Helmink of Mode ; grandchildren – Olivia Helmink, Gracie Slifer, Mollie Slifer, Harrison Helmink, Hank Ahrling, Thomas Slifer, Tucker Ahrling, Camille Helmink, and William Ahrling ; siblings, Becky (Kyle) Fox, John (Patsy) Koenig, Bev Smith, Barb (Leroy) Schneider, Margie Haarmann and David (Melissa) Koenig; sister-in-law, Diane Koenig.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents , Kenneth 'Red' Koenig, Martha Schultz, and Richard Schultz ; brother, Kenny Koenig; brothers-in-law, Kenny Smith and Jerry Haarmann.

Because of Jane's love of children, memorials may be made to Stewardson-Strasburg School for the purpose of aiding children in need. Memorials can also be made to the Effingham Cancer Center or donor's choice.