Jeanette L. Hook (Liggett)

Jeanette L. Hook (Liggett), 85, was born in Hopkins County, Ky., and passed away peacefully at the home of her son, Wesley Schulz, on Nov. 16, 2021.

She is survived by her brother, Jerry L. Liggett (Diana) from Carlisle, Ind.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Cary Liggett; and sister, Jacqueline Van Meighem. 

She was the wife of her loving husband of 33 years, Charles Wesley Hook, who preceded her in death in 2017. 

She was the loving mother of her sons, Wesley Schulz (Mary) of Palatine and Andrew Needling of Chicago. 

“Granny J” greatly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was grandmother to Matthew Needling (Melanie) of Jonesboro, Justin Needling (Kassi) of Jonesboro, Emily Schulz of Palatine, Todd Schulz (Lindsay) of Fox River Grove  and Kara Thomas (Scott) of Marion, Ky. 

She was great-grandmother to Stanton, Josselin, Foster, Jayci, Kynlee, Kayson, Hayes, Audrey, Kooper and Charlee. 

She is also survived by daughter-in-law Karen Schlenker-Boyd of Jonesboro and many nieces and nephews.

She spent her adult life in Southern Illinois. Outside of being a wife, mother and “Granny J,” her career in nursing was the most significant part of her identity.  

She began nursing school after high school and chose to put it on hold to start a family. Twenty-five years later she stepped back on the path and completed a BS at John A. Logan College in Carterville and an MS at McKendree University in Lebanon, both while working overnights, full-time, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro.

She also served as a nursing supervisor at the Carbondale Clinic in Carbondale, as director of nursing at Carmi Medical Center in Carmi and ultimately served as chief nursing officer at Union County Hospital in Anna, from where she retired in 2013.  

Over the years, she touched many lives, made many friends, many who became life-long friends. She especially enjoyed time on the water with Charlie, where she read while he fished.  

She will be remembered for her boundless kindness, the generosity of her spirit and her deep sense of respect for everyone she encountered.

A memorial gathering will be held Friday, April 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Crain Funeral Home in Anna. Inurnment will take place Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park Mausoleum in Murphysboro. 

Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.