Jane K. Smith

Age 80 of Wilmington, Illinois, died Sunday, February 1, 2026 at her home.

Born November 14, 1945, Jane grew up on a farm East of Peotone with her parents, Lester and Margaret (Johnston) Schroeder, and her sister, Joy. She was raised in Peotone, graduated from Peotone High School, and achieved her Bachelors Degree from Illinois State University. On August 20, 1966, she married Daryl Eugene Smith at Immanuel Church of Christ in Peotone.

Together they began their teaching careers in Muscatine, Iowa where Jane taught Spanish and Daryl taught Math. They also taught in Princeton, Illinois and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, before relocating to Wilmington. Jane returned to Peotone High School to teach Spanish until her retirement in 2000.

She enjoyed extensive travel with Daryl and her friend, Maryellen Thomas. Jane also led foreign language trips to Mexico and Puerto Rico, and along with her co-worker and French instructor, Nancy Rue, to Spain, France, and England. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and sports, but her number one priority was always her daughter, Laura. She and Daryl loved and cared from her for 38 years before her death in 2018, and now Jane has her safely in her arms once again.

Survivors include her husband, Daryl Smith of Wilmington, and her sister, Joy (Lee) Jacobs of Michigan; four nieces: Sara (Geof) Jacobs-Carter, Christina (Mitch) DeJarlais, Amy Jacobs, and Alison (Eric) Maddox; and great nieces and nephew: Vivienne, Grace, and Lilith Jacobs-Carter, Madelyn and Jacob DeJarlais, and Brianna Jacobs.

She is also survived by her second family, Dale and Sherry Wells, their children: Aaron, Travis, Dustin, Shawna, Brandon, Andrea, Kimberly, Shalene, and their families.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, and her daughter Laura; her mother and father-in-law, Charles and Helen Smith, and one brother-in-law, David Smith.

The family will receive friends at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until the time of funeral service at 7:00 p.m. Those who wish to join the services online can log onto the livestream, which can be found on Jane's memorial page at www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services, and a private inurnment will be at Peotone Cemetery, where Jane will be laid to rest with her family.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jane's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, in Wilmington, where she was a volunteer.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Jane’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)