Janet E. Hanes, 75, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 7:24 a.m., on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Memorial Hospital, in Shiloh, Illinois.
She was born September 6, 1950, in Jefferson County, Illinois, to the late Claude and Alice (Coleman) Echols. She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Hanes, who she married on November 28, 1970, at the chapel of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon.
In addition to her husband, Bill Hanes, she is also survived by daughter, Susan Emery and husband Rob; son, William (Billy Tom) T. Hanes and wife Casey; grandchildren, Robbie Emery, Slade Emery, Saige Hanes, and Rebecca Hanes; sisters, Loretta (Gail) Karcher, Nancy Wessling, Jane (Marty) Douthit, Cindy Diller, and Anita Thompson; brothers, Jeff Echols and Frank (Joe) Echols. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Sue Echols and Ruth Ann (John) Hamilton, and brother-in-law, Cecil Smith. She had many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca E. Hanes; sister, Brenda Smith; brothers, Harry and Eddie Echols; in-laws, David and Wilma Hanes; and beloved Aunt Mabel, and Uncle Steve Richards.
After high school she was employed as a Page at the Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois. Later, she worked as a mail clerk for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in downtown St. Louis. After Janet and Bill were married, they established their home on the Hanes Family Farm. For several years, she worked as a teller at the Bank of Illinois in Mt. Vernon, until she learned she was going to be a mother. Her greatest joy in life was being a stay-at-home wife, mother, and maw maw. Raising a family kept her busy, preparing home-cooked meals, baking the best and most delicious homemade white cakes and strawberry pies, canning garden vegetables, and making strawberry freezer jam for her grandchildren. The Hanes house was always organized and clean. She prided herself on making sure everyone’s clothes were properly laundered, folded, and promptly put away. If you passed by the Hanes house, you might see her mowing, washing windows, hanging laundry on the line, power washing the house, tending to her flower beds, and gardening. She was perfectly content to care for Bill, and she packed his lunch every day, and greeted him upon his return home. Janet and Bill owned and operated Hanes Trucking, Hanes Farms, and Hanes Recycling, one of the first recycling centers to open in the surrounding area. She taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and volunteered for the Easter and Christmas programs. She was a founding member of the ladies Happy Hour bible study group. She was also a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She served for many years as a school board member at Field Community Consolidated School District in Texico. Her hobbies included researching, observing, and feeding the birds that would visit her feeders. She especially loved doves, cardinals, and hummingbirds.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hanes will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Jeff Minton and Marty Mills officiating. Burial will follow at Union Chapel Cemetery in Texico. Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Osborn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Union Chapel Cemetery Fund, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.