Janice Hartman

Janice Marilyn Miller Hartman passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 after a long battle with Frontal Temporal Dementia. Jan was born May 2, 1937 to Andrew and Mercedes Miller and grew up in Matherville, Illinois.

Jan graduated third in her class from Sherrard High School in 1955. Jan returned to school after starting her family, attending Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, graduating in June of 1972 with an Associate Degree of Science. She then went on to graduate from Sangamon State University with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology a year later. Jan worked for a year at the Springfield Mental Health Center and then moved To Champaign where she earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois in January of 1976. The U of I became home to Jan where she taught, administered the undergraduate program and served as an Assistant and Associate Dean for the School of Social Work for many years.

Jan was a huge fan of Illini sports and attended many events over the years. One of Jan’s shining moments was when she was able to be an “assistant coach” for Lou Henson. Very passionate about helping young parents and their children, Jan was a founding member of the Crisis Nursery of Champaign, serving as president in 1986. Jan was also a founding member of Champaign County CASA.

After retiring, Jan and her husband Chuck moved to Columbia, Mo for a time. Jan continued her volunteer work in different capacities in between traveling to see family and trips around the world. As health concerns advanced Jan and Chuck moved back to Urbana, Il. Jan had an infectious laugh and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Left to treasure her memory are her husband Charles Cowger of Urbana, her six children from her marriage to Willis D. Hartman Jr.; Lisa (Aaron) Sedig, Sterling, Il; Lori (Jim) Petry, Sugar Grove, Il; Mark Hartman, Champaign, IL; Mitch (Hope) Hartman, Farmville, NC; Leslie (Kevin) Rutland, Moscow, Russia; and Kris (Dean) Edwardson, Auburn, WA. Jan loved her grandchildren “infinity and beyond” and told them so every time she saw them and with every birthday card she sent. Grandchildren include: Logan and Caleb Sedig, Adam, Ben and Grace Petry, Laurel Hartman, Aubrey (Logan) Rogers, Kyle Rutland, Mitchell (Katherine) Hartman, Laura, Mathew, Michael, and Maddux Hartman, Erika Mueller and Nikolaus Edwardson. Great grandchildren are Ryker Johnson and Hudson Rogers. Jan is survived by her sisters Marlene Carlson and Diane Nagovan as well as many friends and extended family.

Visitation will take place at Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 East Grove, Rantoul, Illinois on Thursday, May 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral Mass will take place at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Matherville, Illinois on Friday, May 29 at 11:30 a.m., internment will follow at Farlow Grove Cemetery, Matherville. Dennison Funeral Home, Viola is handling local arrangements.

Rather than flowers, memorials can be made to: Crisis Nursery of Champaign, 1309 W. Hill St., Urbana, Il 61801, www.crisisnursery.net or St. John Catholic Newman Center, 604 E. Armory Ave., Champaign, Il 61821.

Online condolences may be left at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.