Janet Anne Fopay, age 90, of Flora, Illinois, passed away early Monday morning, February 5, 2024, at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.
She was born February 26, 1933, in Walnut Grove, the daughter of Fred and Sylvia Alice (Gill) Brainard. She was united in marriage to Joseph E. Fopay on May 30, 1953, in Flora, and together they shared 40 wedding anniversaries until his passing on April 13, 1994.
Jan had worked at Sparton Manufacturing before embracing the roles of mother and grandmother, often babysitting for her grandkids over the years. She was a wonderful baker and will be remembered for making some of the most delicious apple and pumpkin pies. Over the years she enjoyed line dancing, a challenging game of solitaire, and cherished moments spent at auctions and junkin’ for antiques with Kim. She looked forward to shopping outings with her sister Jane, a good cup of coffee with her friend Bernadine Boyer, her daily walks with Dorothy Winka, and attending auctions alongside Dorothy Smith and Georgianna Feagans.
She is survived by her children: Ric (Becky) Fopay of Flora, Kim (Nik) Groothuis of Casey, Tyler (Karen) Fopay of Flora, and Jon (Monica) Fopay of Effingham; 9 grandchildren:
Vanessa Fopay, Evangeline Fopay, Daniel (Felicia) Fopay, Austin (Ann) Groothuis, Trent (Brandi) Groothuis, Noelle Fopay, Kate Fopay, Amanda Fopay, and Johnathon Fopay; 17 great-grandchildren: Landon, Zella, Ashtyn, Bronson, Slade, Zion, Elam, Quincy, Piper, Liam, Dylan, Sedona, Lillian, Ellie, Wren, Brooklyn, and Jaxon; 1 great-great-grandson: Cooper Miller; and a brother: Elbert Brainard of Peoria.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 2 granddaughters: Laura Eileen Fopay and Claire Elizabeth Fopay; siblings: Barbara (Bill) Walker, Mary Jane (Neal) Warren, and Neil Brainard; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mary Jane (Melvin) West, Noma Lee (Bill) Stanley, and Charles (Betty) Fopay.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Kneff Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the local Flora Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or Clay County Cancer Crusaders, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
