MINIER - Jean L. Ingram, 89, Minier, died Saturday (August 30, 2008) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Normal.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John's United Church of Christ, Minier. Pastor Paul Thompson will officiate. Burial of her ashes will be in the Minier Cemetery, following the service. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at St. John's Faith Fellowship Hall, Minier. Davis-Haensel Funeral Home, Minier, is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ for the Women of St. John's.

Jean was born Jan. 21, 1919, the youngest daughter of David and Sarah Keyes Galloway. She was born and raised on a farm in the Wellington/Hoopeston area, and remained close friends with two of her high school classmates, Thelma Caldwell Swartz and Jean Rogers Ericson, until her death.

She married Pat Ingram on Aug. 29, 1936, in Danville. He died June 25, 1998.

Survivors include her children, Karen Smith and Kris (Gary) Loseke, both of Minier; and Jerry Ingram, Lafayette, Ind.; grandchildren, Tom (Therese) Smith, Towanda; Tim (Lori) Smith, Danvers; Karen (Darin) Girdler, Highland; Kim Loseke, Minier; Kevin (Dani) Loseke, Bloomington; and Amanda Ingram, Elwood; great-grandchildren, TJ (Lacie Shelton) Smith, Laci Smith, Taylor Smith, Justin Girdler, Brennan Girdler, Jack Girdler, Myles Smith, Lauren Smith, Jordan Ingram, Jada Ingram, Collin McCormick, Aidan Loseke and Rowan Loseke; and great-great-grandson, Dylan Smith.

Other survivors are two sisters-in-law, Ruth Ingram Neathery, Hoopeston, and Betty Ingram Armstrong, Belle Vista, Ark.; four first cousins and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son-in-law, Tom Smith; grandson, Randy Smith; sister, Fannie Galloway Borg; brother, Charles Galloway; and a niece who made her home with them for several years, Marjorie Borg Barrick, who died just two days before her on Aug. 28, 2008.

She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Minier. She spent many years as a 4-H leader and loved helping young people learn different skills, especially the art of making candles. Many awards were given to those instructed by Jean.

She was well known as a wonderful cook, specializing in homemade pies and noodles, and had worked as a cook in several different places in the area over the years. She loved having an occasion on which she could work up a menu and cook a huge meal to feed her "flock." Until just a few months ago, each night when she went to bed, she would recite, by memory, all the states and their capitals. She always said that was her way of keeping her mind active.

Jean so enjoyed being with her family and friends and interacting with the little ones. She loved holidays and decorating her home for each holiday season.