Janice "Jan" Benjamin, 82, of Barry, Illinois, and formerly of Bowen, Quincy, and Branson, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 27, 2026, after a day filled with love and the warmth of family, at the Barry Healthcare and Senior Living. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and faithful friend whose life was defined by quiet strength, unwavering care, and deep, unconditional love.

She shared a lifelong bond with her beloved husband, Rodney Joseph Benjamin, whose disability never limited the life they built together. Their marriage was a testament to steadfast devotion — a love that endured through every challenge and joy. We take comfort in knowing they are reunited again in peace.

She was the heart of her family, always present for life’s important moments offering encouragement, warmth, and unwavering support. No one ever left her home hungry; she was famous for her homemade noodles and for the breakfast her family lovingly called “Grandma’s breakfast special” — two eggs, bacon, and buttered toast — meals that nourished both body and soul.

Her life was guided by faith, expressed not in grand words but in daily acts of kindness, service, and care. She brought joy and laughter to those around her and created a home where everyone felt welcome, valued, and loved.

She is survived by her children: Joe (Sarah Ferguson) Benjamin of Sparta, Missouri; Angie (Ronald) Byrd of Loraine; and Annette (George) Toolate of Loraine; six grandchildren: Alyssa (Adam) Uppinghouse, Kelsie (Matthew) McVicker, Mikayla Byrd, Cheyenne (Dale) Massey, Lakota (Zach) Friday, and Chenoa (Dave Hull) Toolate; eight great-grandchildren: Tyler, Levi, John, Atticus, Anika, Lucy, Elliot, and Oliver; and three sisters: Shirley Morton, Linda Barclay, and Diana Morton. Numerous other relatives and friends survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Rodney; and her grandson, Justin Byrd.

Though her family mourns her loss deeply, they carry forward the lessons she lived: to care generously, to love unconditionally, and to find joy in life’s simple moments. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she shaped and the love she gave so freely.

A Celebration of Jan’s Life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bowen Christian Church located at 2336 East Highway 61, Bowen, Illinois.

Visitation will be held on Friday evening, March 6, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the J. Otto Funeral Home in Mendon, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Barry Healthcare Senior Living Activities Fund or to the Quincy Senior Center Elevator Fund.