Crabtree, Janet
d. December 28, 2014
Janet Neumann Crabtree, of Athens, Illinois passed away around 11:30 pm on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Memorial Medical Center after a lengthy battle with health issues. She was 61 years old.
Janet was born May 7, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of John & Patricia Neumann. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, David Crabtree; her mother, Patricia (Toolan) Neumann in Schereville, Indiana; and two sisters, Kathleen Smith (Greg) of Monticello Indiana and Patty Neumann of New York. She had two beloved pets, Lucy a golden/chow mix and her cat Bootsy. Janet was preceded in death by her father.
Janet was a Special Education teacher (retired) for over 20 years and taught in southern Illinois, Decatur, and most recently at PORTA High School in Petersburg.
Per Janet’s wishes her body will be cremated. Janet was a great believer in animal protection. In lieu of flowers, donations to any local Animal Protection League would be greatly appreciated.
Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens is assisting the family.
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Posted December 30th, 2014 at 10:45 am
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family Dave as you struggle through the grief and sadness. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted December 30th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Dear David,
We were so sorry to hear about Janet’s passing. You can take some comfort in the fact her suffering her on earth is now over. Your love of and devotion to her over the years was remarkable.
Love, Mike & Penny
Posted December 30th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Dave,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how hard this is. Janet was a good person and will be missed. I wish I knew the right words that would make her loss less painful, but I have no magic words, no great words of wisdom… except that it will get better, I know this to be true. You and Janet nursed me through some of my own hard times and I now feel remiss that I cannot be there for you at this moment. But should you find your home too empty to tolerate, should you decide you need to get away for a while, you are welcome to join me in Florida. But whatever you do, take care of yourself. Visit friends. I know Dave & Becky would love to see you. And I am looking forward to seeing you when I return in March.
Bill
Posted December 30th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Dear Dave, I am so sorry to hear about Janet. My heartfelt sympathy. Sincerely, Mary
Posted December 30th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
We are so sorry for your loss.
Frank & Bev Kalaskie
Posted December 31st, 2014 at 5:25 pm
So very sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family during these very sad days.
Posted January 2nd, 2015 at 7:23 am
My heart is broken by the loss of my dear sister. The end of your suffering is a relief, but the emptiness and sadness that is left behind is overwhelming. You will live on in my memories and the kindness of your gentle spirit will forever be carried with me. When you were a baby. I thought you were my dolly and now you are my angel. Your laugh and the sparkle of your bright eyes always made me smile! Thank you my dear sister for all the memories that I will continue to cherish. With much love and with a tear and a smile, Kathy
Posted January 2nd, 2015 at 8:23 am
Dear, dear David There are no words to express my sympathies to you. You have been such a wonderful husband! Since your call about Janet entering hospice, I have been flooded with memories. I remember your wedding day and the love and joy that you shared. For Janet, there was life before David and then life with you. You surrounded her with such love and happiness. She loved you so very, very much! I am forever thankful for all the care you provided to my dear sister while she was ill. You did it all! Janet didn’t have to worry about a thing, because she had you. Thank You! Thank You!! Thank You!!! I have lost my sister, but I have not lost my brother-in-law. I am here for you. We may not be able to create future memories with Janet, but her spirit will shine on in our remembering. With much love Kathy
Posted January 3rd, 2015 at 2:58 pm
I was so saddened when Kathy told me of Janet’s passing. As a child, Janet’s family lived next door to my family in Lansing, IL. Kathy, Janet, and I enjoyed playing together, and those sweet memories remain. While I have not seen Janet in many, many years, if I think back I can still remember her contagious laugh. It is amazing to me that even though our paths separated when the Neumann’s moved to their new home, all 3 of us, Janet, Kathy, and I all became special education teachers. I will keep David, Pat, Kathy, and Patty in my thoughts and prayers in the difficult days ahead. You have our sympathy. Sincerely, Marilyn VanderVelde Anderson
Posted January 3rd, 2015 at 9:37 pm
Not an hour has gone by that I haven’t thought about Janet and what a good friend she was to me and my family. Her presence is everywhere in my home: tin boxes, a blue vase she sent me one year for Christmas, a special coffee mug, a bracelet with my favorite flowers on it. The list goes on. I take comfort in recognizing her presence in my home. Janet was such a giving person, she was always volunteering to help others in difficult situations, or just to watch my son when I needed a hand when we were all a lot younger. There’s a huge hole in my heart that I know some day will eventually heal. I am ever so grateful that I was able to spend time with Janet and David in her final months. She was a wonderful loving person who touched so many lives both through her friendship and through her profession as a teacher. I witnessed for myself the love and devotion David had for Janet. Although the final months were very difficult, his patience was unending and I know how much Janet appreciated that. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Posted January 4th, 2015 at 11:24 am
Dear David,
First and foremost, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Like others have shared, finding the right words is difficult. One memory that keeps running through my mind is the time that Janet came to Tulsa to help out during Kathy’s hospitalization and surgery. Will always cherish that time as we talked about everything and I got to better understand Janet as a truly warm and caring person. She was healthy, full of life and her smile would absolutely light up the room. This is the picture of Janet that I will remember forever.
As you figure out the future, know you ALWAYS have a place in our heart and home.
Love,
Greg
Posted January 5th, 2015 at 9:51 am
It is difficult to express what an impact Janet has had on my life. She was one of my oldest and dearest friends. For years we were “joined at the hip”; doing everything together. We were housemates and travel companions. We absolutely enjoyed flea markets and dusty antique shops–filling our homes with “treasures”. Janet helped me many many times throughout the years. My family will always be grateful for her assistance after my father passed; helping to care for our mother when it was most needed. I am so glad I was able to spend the last hours of her life with her. I will miss her dearly. David, Janet was so fortunate to have you as a husband. Being a caregiver can be exhausting. You did it all with patience and devotion. My deepest sympathy to you and to Janet’s family.
Posted January 6th, 2015 at 7:48 am
So sorry to hear of the passing of Janet. The time that we worked together at the high school is filled with many emotions, including much laughter. May she be able to laugh again now. David thank you for all you have done and now that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted January 7th, 2015 at 11:36 am
David – I just found out about Janet’s passing from Pam. I am so grateful she did so I could send you my condolences. Janet shines in my memory with her sparkling eyes and cheerful spirit. You and she were such solid friends to me when Shawnee was a baby. I will forever be grateful for you hospitality and friendship. I smile each time I pass your old country house south of Murphysboro. I know that Janet struggled and being the blessed woman she was, she had you, you had each other and were blessed. May your life be filled with precious memories that will sustain you and give you strength. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.