Jeannette "Jeannie" C. Carnes

Jeannette C. “Jeannie” Carnes (nee Allen), age 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the Lightways Hospice Home, with her loving family by her side.

Jeannie is survived by her two loving daughters, Jeanna (Joe) Pluth and Judy (the late George) Sikic; grandchildren, Felicia (Laricho) Strode-Carnes, Brock, Brett and Jacob Pluth, Coty (Nicole) Lake, George Sikic Jr., Brittnee (Joe) Offerman and Kortney (Will) Sikic; great-grandchildren, Destanie, Dalila and Damian Strode, William “Mowgli” and Karmen Martinez and River Offerman; loving sister, Judith (Lee) Carmichael; nieces and nephews, Donny Bryan, Jody Max and Jayme (Paul) Hendry and their families; and her fury companion Oscar

Preceded in death by her son, David Carnes; son-in-law, George Sikic; parents, Claude and Naomi (nee Martin) Allen; maternal grandparents, Fred and Pearl Martin; paternal grandparents, William and Rose Allen; one brother in infancy, Martin Allen; her former husband, Ronald Carnes; and her fury companion Buddy.

Professionally, Jeannie was employed at DeSoto, Personal Products, Kerr Glass and Tell Labs.

Jeannie particularly cherished her time with her best friends Jeanie Chellino and Rebecca Gruenwald, along with her partner in crime the late Lynn Thomas. Together, they shared countless memories filled with laughter, love, and shared experiences that enriched all their lives immeasurably.

Jeannie was a night owl and her love for books knew no bounds. She could often be found immersed in a captivating novel that could be started and finished in one evening. Jeannies’ love for game shows extended beyond Jeopardy, as she eagerly solved puzzles alongside contestants on Wheel of Fortune (especially the last episode with Pat Sajak). These evenings of gameshow fun were often fueled by Merichkas or Joe’s Hot Dogs and she was always accompanied by her dog, Oscar.

Jeannie enjoyed the thrill of games and chance. Whether it was crossword puzzles, the strategic play of Gin Rummy and Poker or the excitement of Bingo, she loved the friendly competition and the camaraderie it fostered among friends. She embraced the excitement of gambling and found joy in the frequent visits to the casino. Her evenings were often spent cheering on her beloved Chicago Cubs, celebrating each victory with the same excitement she displayed when they finally clinched the World Series. After the World Series victory, Jeannie stated “that was for you mom.”

Jeannie leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Her commitment to her family was unwavering and she will be remembered for her kindness and selflessness. Her life was sprinkled with challenges and grief but she was always strong for everyone else.

The family would like to thank all family, friends and neighbors for all the love through calls, texts, messages and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Lightways Hospice in Jeannette’s name would be appreciated.

A celebration of Jeannie’s life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet with a memorial visitation from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A service will be held at 6:00 p.m. to conclude visitation.