Janice Eloise Atterholt
Janice (Jan) Eloise Atterholt (nee Jacob, Hillyer), age 90, of Wilmette, Ill., and formerly of Peoria and Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Chardon, Ohio, passed away at home on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, surrounded by family.
Jan was born May 10, 1935, in Hancock County, Illinois, to Neil and Beulah “Tootie” Jacob.
She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Hillyer (Lisa Fields) and Dave Hillyer (Stacy); grandchildren, Ryan and Lauren Hillyer; and two sisters, Wanda (Marty) Martin and Janeil (Steve) Henderson. She also is survived by many extended family in the Jacob, Hillyer and Atterholt families, where she was loved as an aunt, a niece, a cousin, an informal “Grandma” and many other roles for which she was loved.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 35 years, James (“Jim”) Atterholt; and infant brother, Kermet.
Jan will also be remembered for her faithful service and fellowship as a Christian, most recently as a member of Mayfield United Methodist Church in Ohio, and in fellowship at Trinity Methodist Church in Wilmette, Ill. She also spent many years as a member and deacon in the Presbyterian church.
Jan’s early life was formative, spent among the farmlands of Hancock County, and later in Peoria, Ill. While she spent decades in other locations, including the Chicagoland area (Glen Ellyn and ultimately in Wilmette), the Cleveland area and briefly in Bend, Ore.,, her roots were firmly planted in the fertile soil of West Central Illinois.
Jan’s professional life began in nursing school in Peoria, which led to her dedicated service as an RN and OR nurse for over 40 years across several hospitals. She most recently served at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nursing and her Christian faith formed the core of her “servant attitude,” characterized by humility, focus on service to others and kindness. This was at the core of who she was and how she served those people and causes that she loved, knew and supported.
Some of her many interests included the violin, the outdoors and hiking, landscaping, running, canoeing and playing the banjo.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Ill. A small graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at La Harpe Cemetery in La Harpe, Ill.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The American Cancer Society or Doctors without Borders.
Donnellan Family Funeral Services, of Skokie, Ill., (847) 675-1990, is handling arrangements.
