Mary Jean Harker

Mary Jean Harker, age 69, of Yorkville, passed away Monday, August 30, 2010 at Willowcrest Pavillion surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. BORN She was born May 7, 1941 in Atwater, IL the daughter of Robert Izetta (Simmons) Swires. CHILDHOOD Jean grew up in Carlinville and attended local schools and graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1959. Shortly after graduation she married and began a family of her own. She moved with her family to Aurora, IL a year later. Although Jean began her new life as a homemaker, she blossomed into a person who had done a little bit of everything from driving a school bus, cleaning houses, delivered flowers, worked as a hall supervisor at Valley View, the Illinois Department of Correction for troubled youths for over six years gaining the respect and love from those who others thought were lost, became a Hospice Volunteer and even went on to teach those who followed through grief seminars and was director of the Kendall County Food Pantry for ten years. MARRIED Throughout her storied working career she found time to meet Blain Harker through sports boosters where both their children attended school. What began as friendship grew into a beautiful marriage on October 27, 1984. Before her declining health forced her to move once more to Willowcrest Nursing Home in Sandwich, IL where she has since made her home. LIFE NOTES Jean was a people person who lived to serve others of many walks of life. She literally opened her home to all who needed care, from a meal to sympathetic ear, her heart was always open. FAMILY MEMBERS She is survived by her husband Blaine Harker, Two sons, Roger (Jackie) Owens of Montgomery, IL, and Gregg (Robin) Owens of Yorkville, IL;Eight grandchildren: Tyler Olsen, Rachel Owens, Heath (Kelly) Owens and their children Jason, Autumn and Matthew, Nicholas Owens and his daughter Lillian, Jacob Owens,Bruce Owens,Tracy Jacobsen and her children, Hanna and Gage andMarcy Holmberg and her daughter Ashley;Three siblings: Bob (Anne) Swires,Bill Swires and Betty Sue Scheldt;Many nieces and nephews and a family of friends. PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her parents , Izetta and Robert Swires. VISITATION/ FUNERAL. A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life at 10 a..m., Saturday, September 4, 2010 at Yorkville Congregational Church, with a time of visitation to begin at 9 a.m. Rev. Mark Gregory, pastor of the church, will officiate. Private family interement will follow at a later date. MEMORIALS In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit the Kendall County Food Pantry and the P.A.D.S. program at the Yorkville Congregational Church. Checks may be made to "Jean Harker Memorial" and mailed in care P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL. Tributes may also be sent to the same address or on www.conleycare.com.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life at 10 a..m., Saturday, September 4, 2010 at Yorkville Congregational Church, with a time of visitation to begin at 9 a.m. Rev. Mark Gregory, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Private family interement will follow at a later date.