She was born on December 15, 1947 in Fort Madison, IA the daughter of Harry A. and D. JoAnne Hornbaker Baxter.

Jan was a graduate of the Stronghurst High School, Stronghurst, IL, and Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL. She taught in several different school districts, including Stronghurst. She also taught in Kuwait. Jan was an avid traveler, reader and writer, even having some of her writings published in Vanity Fair Magazine.

Survivors include her mother, JoAnne Baxter of Stronghurst, IL, two sons, Shea (Dana) Carpenter and Sean Carpenter both of DeKalb, IL, six grandchildren, Nicholas, Carly, Will, Chandler, Carol and Spencer, one great grandchild, Ryan, four brothers, Mark Baxter of Burlington, IA, Eric Baxter of Bloomington, IL, Paul (Robin) Baxter of Monmouth, IL and Galen (Jennifer) Baxter of Media, IL, six sisters, Cathy (Terry) Weiss of Highland Park, IL, Colette (Paul) Sopocy of Bourbonnais, IL, Christie (Terri) Escorcia of Springfield, IL, Michelle McCollum of Media, Renee' (Ron) Mowen of Petersburg, IL and Julie (Mark) Burau of Decatur, IL and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Harry A. Baxter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2017 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Raritan, IL with Monsignor Thomas Mack officiating. Burial will be in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Raritan, IL. No formal visitation will be held but friends may call from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. To sign the guest book or to leave an online condolence please visit, banksandbeals.com.