Bernard Jansen (87) of Green Creek

Print

Published on July 16 2024 7:35 am

Bernard “Benny” Jansen, 87, of Green Creek, Illinois passed away Saturday, July 13, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2024 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Green Creek. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to HSHS Hospice Southern Illinois, St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, or to the family. Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

Bernard was born September 24, 1936 in Green Creek, the son of Ben and Eva (Funneman) Jansen. He was a Teutopolis High School graduate. Bernard married Helen Niebrugge June 11, 1958. Bernard was a lifelong farmer, dairy farming until 1986 but continuing with grain. He drove a school bus for Teutopolis School District for over 10 years. He had also worked at Norge and Stevens Industries for a short time.

Bernard was a member of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Green Creek, the Holy Name Society, and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Massey-Harris Collectors of Illinois, the Farm Bureau, and the American Thresherman Association. He enjoyed his time spent at the Pinckneyville’s thresherman shows.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Helen Jansen; children, Tom (Cindy) Jansen, Diane (Jerry) Westendorf, Don Jansen (deceased), Rose (Larry) Westendorf, Ray (Jo Ann) Jansen, Barb (Dean) Probst, Tim (Angie) Jansen, Pat Deters, Angie (Kurt) Overbeck, Loretta (Bob) Schumacher, Mary Mette, Dave (Angie) Jansen, Ben (Ann) Jansen, Marcia Jansen (deceased) and Brian Jansen (deceased); 42 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Margaret Jansen, Judy Jansen, and Mardell Jansen; and brother-in-law, Don Beckman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three children; siblings, Edward (Julie) Jansen, Florence (Bob) Schuette, Alice (Norbert) Hoene, Louise Jansen, Virgil Jansen, Alma (Delbert) Steffen, Charlie (Kathryn) Jansen, John Jansen, Toby Jansen, and Catherine Beckman; grandchild, Will Schumacher; great-grandchildren, Grace Schorman and Arianna McNeal; parents-in-law, Clem and Frances Niebrugge; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ruth and Louis Meinhart.

Special thanks to HSHS Hospice nurses Angie, Chelsie, Jan, and Krysta.