Janet Elaine Smith (86) of Effingham, formerly of Beecher City

Janet Elaine Smith, 86, of Effingham, formerly of Beecher City, IL and Sarasota, FL, died at 12:34 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2020 at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Effingham.

At her family’s request, no services will be held. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family.

Janet was born on March 6, 1934 in Beecher City, the daughter of Harold D. Smith and Fannie E. Bond Smith. She graduated from Beecher City High School and obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Eastern Illinois University. Retired from the US Department of Defense, she taught business education to children of US Air Force personnel in Izmir Turkey, Lakenheath England, Ankara Turkey, Asmara Ethiopia, Madrid Spain, Isa Bahrain, and Livorno Italy. Always a world traveler, she also visited Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, France, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Denmark, and Scotland to name a few. She retired to Sarasota, FL in 1993 and later came to Effingham, IL.

An animal lover through and through, especially her Italian cats which she rescued and brought back to the states, donations in her memory may be made to the Effingham County Humane Society, PO Box 321, Effingham, IL 62401. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

She is survived by her brother, James Smith of Port Orange, FL, 12 nieces and nephews, and special friend Ken Wolford.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bud (Carolyn) Smith, Dave (Ethel) Smith; sister, Florence (Ray) Richards; and sister-in-law, Barbara Smith.