Jeanetta Marie Thackeray, 87 of Melvin, passed away at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Heritage Health, Normal.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Monday, June 3 ,2019, at the Melvin United Methodist Church, 129 N. Center Street, Melvin with Rev. Liz Reis officiating. Burial will follow in Melvin Cemetery, Melvin.

Visitation will be 2 hours before the funeral services from 10-12 p.m. at the church on Monday. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is handling arrangements.

Jeanetta was born January 12, 1932 in Ashtabula, Ohio the daughter of David and Nellie Brooks Harris. She married Frederick Thackeray February 6, 1954 at the Harris Presbyterian Memorial Church. He preceded her in death March 14, 2001.

She is survived by two sons, Alan Thackeray of Melvin, Neil Thackeray of Champaign; a daughter Gail (Tom) Vlahovich of Bloomington, son-in-law, Tim Byrne of Bloomington; sister-in-law, Jesse Harris of Liverpool, New York; five grandchildren, Adam (Laura) Vlahovich, Ryan Byrne, Aaron Byrne, Madelyn Thackeray, Alexandra Thackeray and two great granddaughters, Ava and Adley Vlahovich.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; a daughter, Lynn Byrne and a brother, Donald Harris.

Jeanetta graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1949. She and her husband were the third generation to run The Ford County Press, Melvin which had been owned by the same family for 100 years. When Jeanetta wasn't editing the paper, she was often seen working as a reporter or laying it out. Whatever needed to be done, she did it.

She was a member of the Melvin United Methodist Church and a Sunday school teacher for many years. Jeanetta was a Melvin Public Library Trustee and member of the Melvin Women's Club. She enjoyed oil painting, quilting, photography and gardening.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Melvin United Methodist Church or Ford County Homeless Pets. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.