Janet Kidwell

Janet Kidwell, 84, of Danville passed away at her daughters home with her family by her side at 1:30 PM on July 28, 2023.

Jan, the daughter of Lois (Church) and Arthur Molyneaux, was born on April 5, 1939, in Binghamton, NY. She joined the United States Navy after graduating from high school, which is where she met the love of her life, Charles "Dick" "Chuck" Kidwell. They were married on January 17, 1958, in Astoria, OR and shared 46 years together before his passing on October 16, 2004.

Survivors include her children Charles "Rick" (Christy) Kidwell of Danville, IL and Dr. Kim (Dayna Willbanks) Kidwell of Savoy, IL, three grandchildren, Kriquet (Scott) Johnson of Mooresville, IN, Kelsey (Chris) Yonan of Fishers, IN and Kody Kidwell of Westville, IL, and five great grandchildren, Sydney Brandon, Libby, Charley, and Aram Yonan, and Annabelle Johnson. She also is survived by four sisters and one brother.

Along with her husband, her parents, an infant son, six brothers and three sisters preceded her in death.

Jan was an incredible caretaker, an extraordinarily hard worker, and an excellent cook. She was well known for her baking skills, which she developed at an early age. As the second eldest, she helped raise many of her siblings, which included learning how to cook at age 7. She was well known for hosting incredible meals for large gatherings.

Jan served in the Navy from April 5, 1957 to March 13, 1958. She was a devoted homemaker until entering the workforce in the early 1970s. She started as a secretary at R&S Printing and worked her way up to being the first female production planner at the company. She retired when the company closed.

Jan enjoyed sewing, yardwork, tending her rose garden, sitting on her porch appreciating the view or chatting with family and friends, and cheering on the Illini. She loved her family fiercely, often saying she was blessed with a beautiful, loving, caring family all of whom brought much pride and joy to her life. Her grandchildren, her special Ks, were the treasures of her life, and she was affectionately known to them and many others as Grammy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00AM Friday, August 4, 2023, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Bruce Parr will be officiating. Burial will be in Danville National Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post 210. Visitation will be held from 9-11:00 AM Friday, August 4, 2023, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Transitions Care in Champaign, IL or OSF Bobette Steely Hegler Cancer Care Center in Danville, IL.

Please join Jans family in sharing memories, photos and video of her life through her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.