WILMINGTON — Janet Louise De Yong Jingst of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The youngest of twelve children, Janet was born July 30, 1929, near Wyaconda, Missouri. As a child, she primarily grew up in Warsaw, Illinois and graduated from Warsaw High School in 1947. She was married to Nathan “Nate” Jingst of Warsaw, Illinois in 1949. They lived in Macomb, Illinois while Nathan attended college, and then they moved to the Quad Cities and lived in the Moline and Rock Island area for thirty-eight years.
Janet graduated from Marycrest College in 1972 with a degree in Elementary Education. Janet taught in the Rock Island Public school system until 1989. Upon retiring, Janet and Nate split their time between living in Fort Collins, Colorado and Sun City, Arizona. Later in life, Janet lived in North Carolina.
Janet will be remembered by her family for her generous and kind spirit. Whether it was teaching elementary school children, volunteering at her church, or purposefully losing at Monopoly by giving away all of her properties to her grandchildren (much to Nate’s joking frustration). Janet always put the interests of others in front of her own in the smallest and biggest of ways. Janet will also be remembered for her quick laugh, being a wonderful cook, her love of all animals, her spirituality, and the joy she found traveling with family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She will be remembered for the example she effortlessly set for others on how to live a fulfilling life and be a good person.
Janet is survived by her three children, Stephen Jingst (Michele), Diane Radcliffe, and Wayne Jingst; her five grandchildren (Sara, Emily, and Rachel, Chris and David), and her two great grandchildren (Kate and Lily). Preceding her in death were her parents, Ira and Nellie De Yong, her beloved husband, Nathan Jingst, her seven brothers (Ira, Fred, Russ, Bob, Ken, Gerald, and Wayne), and her four sisters (Nellie, Harriet, Margie, and Marcia).
Janet loved animals and frequently volunteered at her local animal shelter. In lieu of any flowers or gifts, donations may be made to Quad City Animal Welfare Center to honor her memory. A funeral service will be scheduled at a later date in Warsaw, Illinois.
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