Condolences to the family of Jean Pickett

Jean Neese Pickett

ROCHESTER - Jean Neese Pickett of Rochester, Illinois passed away at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at Capitol Care Center in Springfield, IL.
Jean was born on January 12, 1928; the daughter of Robert and Lucille Neese. She married William O. Pickett on June 11, 1950 in Shelbyville, Illinois. She was a member of the Rochester United Methodist Church.

Jean graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1949 and attended the University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. She resided at the 4-H House during that time. In 1976 she received her Masters Degree at the University of Illinois in Extension Education. That same year she went to Paris, France to attend the Paris Fashion Academy through Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

She was employed for 30 years with the Illinois Cooperative Extension Services with the last 17 years as Christian County Home Economics Advisor.

She belonged to Ruth Circle, enjoyed playing pinochle with the Motor Boat Club Group and book reviews with the Fort Nightly Book Club, in addition to making quilts and sewing for/with family and friends. She was a clothing judge for several years for the 4-H shows at the Illinois State Fair.
After her retirement she was a great friend of the American Sewing Guild.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by husband, Bill; daughter, Ann (Raymond) Schlicht of Chaseburg, Wisconsin; son, Steve (Sally) Pickett of O'Fallon, Illinois; sister, Joyce (Leroy) Leib of Shelbyville, IL; brother, David (Becky) Neese of Davenport, Iowa; four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be from 10:30 A.M until time of funeral service at 11:30 A. M. on Saturday, September 17, at the Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester, Illinois with the Rev. Jack Swank, officiating. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rochester United Methodist Church, P 0 Box 467, Rochester, IL 62563
Please visit our online website at www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com

Published in The State Journal-Register from September 13 to September 14, 2011