Janet W. Crandall

Janet Wise Crandall, age 96, of Cerro Gordo, passed away peacefully at 6:30AM on January 27, 2026, at Heritage Woods, Sullivan, IL. Born on January 21, 1930, in Decatur, Illinois, Janet was the beloved daughter of Ralph and Gladys Wise.

Janet married Keith Crandall on June 12, 1949, beginning a beautiful partnership that spanned many decades. Keith passed on May 13, 1993. Together, they built a loving home filled with warmth and laughter.

Janet was a devoted mother to son, Lester Crandall and daughters Linda (Larry) McCoy, Dianne (Bill) Petersen, Seema (Shahab) Imam, and Karen (Gail) Allen.

She was a devoted grandma to 13 grandchildren: Laura (Roger) Meridith, Craig McCoy, Amanda (Kyle) Clementz, Jennifer (Alex) Hoover, Aisha (Brian) Ozaki, Khalid (Atiqa) Ghori, Yousuf (Rifka) Ghori, Mujahid Ghori, Ibrahim (Wisal) Imam, Amber (Josh) Adams, Clay Dobson, Wes Dobson, and Christina Wise; 23 great grandchildren: Michael Davis, Washington Davis, Paul Davis, Alexis (Josh) Hartman, Zach (Virginia) Meridith, Camryn Meridith, Andrew Lyons, Ashley (Connor) McCaffery, Allison Lyons, Amy Lyons, Alex Hoover, Ayden Hoover, Samir Ozaki, Sofia Ozaki, Humza Ghori, Zain Ghori, Musa Ghori, Asma Ghori, Sumayyah Ghori, Ayyoub Ghori, Parker Wise, Amelia Wise, Matthew Hartirck, and Hannah Long; 3 great-great grandchildren: Jordyn Meridith, Melanie McCaffery, and Waylon McCaffery.

She took great pride in her family’s accomplishments and cherished every moment spent with them and her legacy will live on through each of them.
Janet graduated from Cerro Gordo High School in 1947 and was the last survivor of her class. She graduated from Millikin University in 1978 with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Janet was a Cerro Gordo grade schoolteacher for 25 years and retired in 1994.

Janet was a faithful longtime member of the Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church, where she served on various committees and helped with VBS and S.S. Classes, and the U of I Piatt County Home Extension.

Janet will be remembered for her caring nature, resilience, and the positive impact she had on all those around her. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and friends, who will forever cherish her memory and celebrate the remarkable long life she led. Her life was marked by her unwavering love for her family, her generous spirit, and her deep commitment to her community.

Church was very important to her. She shared her Christian values through the way she lived. She gave her heart to the Lord at an early age and made it a priority to be in church whenever the doors were open. In fact, church was so important to her that when she moved, she put in a sidewalk from the back door of her home to the back door of her church, for easy access.
Janet enjoyed water aerobics at the Y, walking, riding her bicycle, then her 3-wheeler and even a stationary bicycle. In 2023, 75 years after graduating from HS, her class was being honored in the Homecoming parade. She could have ridden in the back of a convertible but instead chose to ride her 3-wheeler. The sign on the back said, “Exercise, it keeps you young.” This was her motto for life. She was not only a grade schoolteacher, she was also a great example and inspiration to many others. Janet enjoyed telling stories to residents at nursing homes with her friend Cindy Thomas. Playing Mexican Train on Friday night with her friends was a highlight of her week. Janet also enjoyed making crafts, quilting, traveling, gardening, bird watching, sunrises, sunsets, flowers and photography. Janet had a zest for life and lived each day to the fullest. She once said, “God gave me hands to work, and I enjoy using them for craft projects too. I feel very blessed.” If given the opportunity to go somewhere, she was always ready to go. She had a positive attitude, and joy in her heart. Janet’s kindness and love will remain an inspiration to everyone who knew her, she will be deeply missed and always remembered.

Family and friends are invited to gather for Visitation from 10:00am – 11:30am on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and celebration of life service at 11:30am, both at the Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church, 104 E. Carter St, Cerro Gordo. A graveside service will follow immediately afterwards at the Cerro Gordo Cemetery.

Janet was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, brother Morris Wise and brother-in laws and sister in-laws.

Janet’s family would like to thank all the staff who cared for her at Heritage Woods, especially nurses Erika and Sydney and Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice nurse Kathy.

Memorials made be made to the Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church or the Activities fund at Heritage Woods Assisted Living in Sullivan.