Jean Cahoon
Obituary
Jean Cahoon, age 91, passed away on February 13, 2017 after a short illness at Liberty Village Manor Court in Freeport, Illinois with family members by her side. She was born in Lancaster Township on April 21, 1925 to Jessie Mae (Newcomer) Dornink and Howard C Dornink. Upon graduation from Dakota High School in 1943, Jean attended Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana for one year. Upon her return to the Freeport area, Jean worked at the Stephenson County Abstract Company and later in the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk's Office.
On February 1, 1946, Jean married Carl Wesley Cahoon at the Church of the Brethren in Freeport, Illinois. Early in the marriage they farmed in rural Freeport and Florence Station. In 1955 they bought the Cahoon family homestead in Rock Grove Township and moved to the Orangeville area. For the next few years Jean spent her time raising the children and supporting the efforts on the farm.
Later, she returned to work outside the home at the McNess Company. In 1965 Jean began her position as bookkeeper for the Orangeville Public Schools, a position she enjoyed for twelve years. Jean was an excellent cook and pie baker. She enjoyed the holiday feasts, and the Saturday noon lunch table was always open to family in the area. She and Carl enjoyed the 69 years they had together as a married couple. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and loved the holidays when all or most of the thirty-six extended family members gathered.
Jean was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Freeport for seventy years.
Jean is survived by her son, Craig W. Cahoon (JoAnn) of Orangeville; daughter, Kay P. Chitwood (James) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin and daughter, Kathy A. Moring (Ronald) of Lena, Illinois. Granddaughter-in-law Julie Cahoon (surviving wife of Chad Cahoon) Orangeville, grandsons: Chris M. Cahoon (Beth Sullivan Cahoon), Orangeville, Cory M. Cahoon (Dana), Davis, Ill., Matthew M. Chitwood (Heidi), Stevens Point, Wisconsin, David M. Chitwood (Andrea), Greenville, South Carolina, Stephen J. Chitwood (Kathleen), Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Douglas M. Moring (Noelle), Chicago, Illinois. Jean also enjoyed the company of her seventeen great-grandchildren: Madison, Brayden and Delaney Cahoon; Cailey and Alyse Cahoon; Trey, Braydy and Whitney Sullivan; Cannon, Coley and Caiser Cahoon; Peter and Jackson Chitwood; Wesley and Rigby Chitwood; Riley and Connelly Chitwood. Jean is further survived by sisters-in-law, Faith Glaman (Freeport) and Jo Dornink (Freeport), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, parents, grandson, Chad M. Cahoon; brothers: Kenneth (infant), Sheldon, Robert, Roger and Gordon.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Faith United Methodist Church in Freeport, Illinois with Pastor John Wesley Lee officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith United Methodist Church.
The family gives their special thanks to the staff of nurses, CNAs, and aides of Liberty Village Manor Court for their compassion and support, as well as FHN Hospice for the comfort, attention, and care they provided both Jean and her family during this difficult time.