William Janssen

William “Bill” Janssen died on Monday, January 16, 2023, at his home in Haymarket, Virginia, after being diagnosed with lung cancer a few months earlier. He was born in Sterling, Illinois, on April 19, 1936, to Martin and Wilma Denison Janssen, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Rock Falls, Illinois, attended Merrill Elementary School and graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1955.

Bill was married to Barbara Carlson in Galesburg, Illinois, on August 31, 1958. Their first child, Brian, preceded him in death as an infant. He is survived by Barbara, daughters Kristine Richardson (Rusty) of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, and Carrie Janssen (fiancé Doug Miles) of Daytona Beach, Florida, granddaughters Kelly and Shannon Richardson and Rebecca Kellert (Al), great-grandchildren Kaitlyn and Albert Kellert. He is also survived by sister Nancy Janssen Blumenkranz of Alexandria, Virginia, sisters-in-law Betsy Cross (Rodger) of Galesburg, IL, and Barbara Carlson (David) of Pensacola, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by sister-in-law Kathryn Carlson Overturf, brothers-in-law Dr. J. David Carlson, Ralph Overturf, and Edward Blumenkranz, and nephew Jeffrey Carlson.

Bill served in the U.S. Army with active duty at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and Ft. Riley, KS, followed by reserve duty in IL and VA. After active military duty, he returned to Galesburg and was the assistant manager of the DeForrest Paint Store in Galesburg until, in 1964, he, Barbara and Kristine relocated to Virginia. He was employed by Prudential Financial until he retired in 1996.

After retirement, Bill and Barbara took many road trips through 48 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces as well as a cruise/rail trip to Alaska. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He always loved working in his basement shop and spending time with family. He was a member of the Rock Falls American Legion (where his father was a charter member), the NRA, and Bethel Lutheran Church in Manassas, VA.

A graveside service will be11AM on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Riverside Cemetery Sterling, IL.

Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com