Jean E. Sollenberger

JEAN E. SOLLENBERGER, Age 79, of Maple Park, IL, passed away at Delnor Community Hospital, Geneva, Wednesday evening, November 24, 2004. BORN / EDUCATIONBorn to this life on Christmas Day, 1924, in Addison, IL, she grew up on a farm near Itasca, where her education began at "Puddin’ Hill" country school along with three other classmates. In 1940, however, her family left the farm and moved to Naperville where Jean graduated from high school with the class of 1943. Over the next several years, Jean developed her own "work-study" program. Working for a time at the Burlington Railroad offices in Chicago and later for some downtown insurance offices, she would save her money, then take two years off to study literature and French at North Central College, Naperville. MARRIAGE In 1946, a former high school classmate, Robert Sollenberger, came home on furlough from the Army and asked Jean for a date. This handsome soldier soon won her heart and on June 19, 1948 they were united in marriage at the Methodist-Episcopal Church, Naperville. They made their home in Naperville where their first child, Debra was born. In 1954 they moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan where Dora, David, Amy and John were born. Jean and Robert returned to Illinois in 1962 and settled in Lombard. The family moved to St. Charles in 1967 and Jean and Bob moved to their present home in Maple Park in 1987. MEMBERSHIPS All of their lives, Jean was active in church. As a member of the Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. In later years, she made many friends at the Grace United Methodist Church, Maple Park where she enjoyed quilting and sharing in the life and ministry of the Grace United Methodist Church, Maple Park.LIFE NOTES Jean was a multi-talented woman whose gifts brought great joy to life. She had a flair for decorating her home with flowers from her beautiful perennial gardens. She grew her own fruits and vegetables and prepared wonderful meals from her harvest. A skilled seamstress, she created all kinds of clothing for her family and, later, clothes for her grandchildren’s dolls. Jean established many family traditions. Word games, charades, treasure hunts and holiday activities will be passed down through generations. Jean also loved the opera and symphony and the trips she and Robert made to England. In later years, she was politically active and expressed herself in letters that were published in many papers, including the Chicago Tribune. SURVIVORS In addition to her husband, Robert, she is survived byFive Children: Debra ( Andrew) Haglund of St. Charles, ILEmily (23) and Jane (15)Dora Willing of St. Charles, IL, Hillary (23), Allison (20), Lindsay (18)David (Lori) Sollenberger of Wauconda, ILRyan (16), Lydia (13), Mitchell (10)Amy Hoffman of St. Charles, IL Erik (16)John (Colleen) Sollenberger of St. Charles, IL, Mark (22mo.), Clair (22mo.), Michael (2mo.)Twin Siblings:Allen "Johnny" (Glenda) Fellows of Tampa,FL,Allene (Michael) Cawley of Tampa, FL,Her brother and sister-in-lawWilma "Bill" (Wilfred) Sollenberger of Alpharetta, GA,Many nieces and nephewsAnd many dear friends. PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Janet (Gunsolus) Fellows;One sister, Marjorie Fellows and One nephew, Steven Sollenberger.VISITATION / / FUNERAL Visitation will be held Sunday, November 28, 2004 at the Grace United Methodist Church, East Willow Street, Maple Park, IL from 3-7pm and Monday morning from 10-11am prior to the funeral.Funeral services will begin at 11am at church with interment to follow at Ohio Grove Cemetery. Pastor Daniel Benson of the Grace United Methodist Church and long time friend and former pastor, Rev. Ernst Rex of the Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, will officiate.MEMORIAL Memorials in her memory will benefit Heifer International Project.They may be mailed to the family in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories

Visitation will be held Sunday, November 28, 2004 at the Grace United Methodist Church, East Willow Street, Maple Park, IL from 3-7pm and Monday morning from 10-11am prior to the funeral.

Funeral services will begin at 11am Pastor Daniel Benson of the Grace United Methodist Church and long time friend and former pastor, Rev. Ernst Rex of the Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, will officiate.