Janice Knapp

Janice Knapp, a woman of boundless kindness and gentle warmth, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2023, at Ridgeview Care Center in Oblong, IL. Born on June 16, 1934, in Palestine, IL, to Frank & Zelda Shew. Janice was a proud member of the Palestine High School Class of 1952. She furthered her education at Eastern Illinois University, where she indulged her passion for music before leaving early to marry the love of her life, Beauford Keith Knapp, whom she married on December 31, 1954.

Janice's professional life was a testament to her tenacity and unyielding spirit. After moving to the Chicago area, she had a couple of jobs before joining the Ferrara Candy Company in 1962, where she dedicated 37 years of her life. Rising to Vice President Office Administration at a time when women were scarcely seen in leadership roles, Janice left her indelible mark on the company's legacy. She later embarked on an admirable 18-year career with Green Meadows Property Management before hanging up her hat for good at the age of 83, but not before setting an example of grit and passion that inspired all who knew her!

Family meant everything to Janice. Following her retirement from Ferrara, she moved to Batavia, IL, to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She filled her free moments there with laughter, love, and heartfelt conversations. She loved nothing more than seeing her loved ones flourish, and she took great joy in supporting her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews at sporting events and celebrating their victories. She loved having family come and spend time with her at her vacation home in Naples, FL, where she temporarily visited off and on for several years. No matter where she was, the doors of her home were always open, offering the warmth of her kindness and the opportunity to create memories that will forever be etched in the hearts of her loved ones.

Janice will always be remembered for her efforts to cultivate happiness in the lives of those around her. She had a large heart that beat to bless others, and she was always there for anyone who needed her. She was as compassionate as she was caring, always ready to offer a word of encouragement or to pray for those suffering or in distress. Janice was, after all, a woman of faith. As a young woman, she filled the Palestine First Christian Church sanctuary with piano music that was as worshipful as it was beautiful and would continue to give God glory through the way she lived out her 89 years.

Though we mourn our loss, we know that she is gone from our sight, that is all. She is more alive now than she ever was on this side of eternity. Until we meet again, may the threads of love, devotion, and resilience that Janice Knapp weaved into our hearts become her lasting legacy in us.

She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Hasil & Tom Corcoran (Hendersonville, TN); by her grandchildren, Austin Hasil (Bloomingdale, IL) and Alana Hasil (St. Charles, IL); by her sisters, Sarah Liston (Palestine, IL) and Arlene Shorter (Sullivan, IN); by her brother & sister-in-law, Ronald & Georgana Shew (Fort Myers, FL); by her sister-in-law, Jackie Shew (Lexington, SC); as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 45 years, Beauford "Keith" Knapp; by her parents, Frank & Zelda (Duke) Shew; by her sister, Laveda (Shew) Massie; by her brother, Carl Lee Shew; and by her nephews and niece, Steven, Lisa, and Ronnie Massie.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 16th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the "Palestine First Christian Church", with envelopes available at the funeral home.