Jacquelyn K. Smith (86) of Effingham

Jacquelyn K. Smith, 86, of Effingham, IL, entered into her heavenly home on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 11:46 a.m. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family.

According to her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to www.t2t.org (Tunnels to Towers). Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Jacquelyn was born on July 7, 1936 to Frank and Katherine Kelly in Chicago, IL. After Jacquelyn graduated from high school, she married Conrad R. Marschke and started a family, eventually having 5 children and becoming a stay-at-home mom. As Jacquelyn’s children grew, she pursued a degree in education with her focus on special education, learning disabilities and behavioral disorders in grades K12. She was a member of the KAPPA DELTA PI honor society. She went on to become a Chicagoland teacher for many years before moving to the Montello, Wisconsin area to teach for several years and then completed her teaching career in Somerset, Kentucky. She was a well-loved teacher to both students and parents for 25 years before retiring in 1995. Jacquelyn loved being a teacher but helping students with learning disabilities or emotional disabilities was what she loved most about teaching. Making a difference in a troubled student’s life gave her the drive and incentive to continue education so she could utilize the latest tools available to help students. There was nothing more important to her than each child having a great education regardless of their physical, mental, emotional, or monetary stature.

Jacquelyn loved her 5 children: Sandra Hare (Keith) of Carmel, ME, Bryan Marschke (Valora) of Effingham, James Marschke of Montello, WI, Phillip Marschke of Montello, WI, and Pamela Romano of Effingham. She had 9 grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them whenever she could. They lovingly referred to her as “Nani”.

Jacquelyn was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, Robert Kelly. She is survived by her 5 children and her 9 grandchildren.

Special thanks to HSHS Hospice for helping us take care of our mom so she could be at home in her favorite room surrounded by the people and the things that she loved. Thank you: Jayne, Jan, Ashley, Kayla, Katie, Chelsie and Diann. You all made it so much more bearable because of your kindness.