Brian D. Janes

Brian D. Janes, age 73 of Mattoon, IL, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL. A memorial service in his honor will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, October 28, 2024, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Reverend Ron Dickinson will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon, IL. Military Rites will be conducted by Mattoon VFW Post 4325. The visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Brian was born on June 4, 1951, in Mattoon, IL to the late A. Donald and Betty Jean (Clark) Janes. He married Betty Jean Cook on March 8, 1999, in Lexington, KY; she survives and resides in Mattoon, IL. He is also survived by four children: Sean Jenkins and wife Whitney of Urbana, IL, Dusty Jenkins and wife Brenda of Bloomington, IL, Corey Jenkins and wife Rachel of Sullivan, IL, and Khloe Janes of Lake Villa, IL; one brother, Don C. Janes and wife Donna of Mattoon, IL; one sister, Jo L. Grafton and husband Gary of Mattoon, IL; three grandchildren: Tyler Jenkins of Urbana, IL, Harper and Hunter Jenkins of Bloomington, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Brian was a proud veteran of the United States Army. In 2003, he retired from the Mattoon Police Department after several dedicated years of serving the Mattoon community as a police officer. However, serving was a core part of him, and after his retirement he spent one and a half years overseas as a Civilian Police Advisor in Kosovo, Southeast Europe and additionally trained Iraqi police officers in Iraq. He held memberships at the Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association, and the Illinois Police Association. Being overseas spawned a desire for travel and he and his wife Betty journeyed to Italy, the Greek Islands, and Austria. Throughout their marriage they had the opportunity to travel all over the world and take many cruises. Always up for an adventure, his hobbies include his love of shooting, boating, scuba diving, and motorcycle riding. Husband, father, poppa, brother, uncle, and friend to many, Brian will be dearly missed. Memorial donations in his honor may be made to the Illinois Police Officers Memorial, 840 S. Spring St., Springfield, IL 62756. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Brian D. Janes

June 4, 1951 - October 18, 2024