Peoria, IL
Dorothy 'Jane' Verkler, 88, of Peoria was surrounded by family in her home when she quietly slipped into eternity to be with Jesus Friday evening, September 21, 2012. Born in Decatur, IL on June 22, 1924, to Sanford 'SJ' and Julia (Cain) Thornton, she was the youngest of three daughters. Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister Katherine 'Kitchie' McGrath, son Thornton 'Louie' Verkler, granddaughter Karissa Verkler, and her beloved goddaughter, Julia 'Gabby' Carter. She was married on November 27, 1948 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Decatur to John H. Verkler Jr
Jane attended St. Theresa High School in Decatur and Millikin University, where she specialized in literature. She loved working as her father’s secretary at Thornton Realty before starting her greatest vocation as wife and mother of seven. She especially loved children. Jane entertained and encouraged all with lively stories of her youth, Irish relatives, and life-time experiences. She was a member of the Peoria Garden Club and was fond of birds and music. A longtime member of St. Philomena Catholic Church, she was a Regular Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament. She was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was also our angel, we will always love her, because as she would always tell us, there will always be always.
Her family would like to thank God for His faithfulness to Jane and for blessing us with this beautiful person to know and love. We would also like to thank her gentle caregivers and the members of her OSF Hospice team for all their support and encouragement.
Jane is survived by her husband, along with four daughters, Veronica Verkler of Peoria, Connie (Don) Farquharson of Punta Gorda, FL, Julie Meier (Doug Baughman) of East Peoria, and Anne (Leonard) Hilbert of Peoria; two sons, John III (Laura) of Pasadena, CA and Andrew (Sara) of Mapleton; and daughter-in-law Betty Verkler of Sheboygan, WI; fourteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her sister Julia Carter of Oak Ridge, TN.