Jean Elizabeth (Prentice) Caldwell, 96, of Utica, died on Thursday evening, July 3, 2025, at Stonecroft Village Assisted Living Facility in Mendota.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa with Rev. Lloyd Johnson, Pastor of Utica Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Utica. Visitation will be held 10-11:00 AM Thursday at the funeral home.
Jean was born on January 29, 1929. She grew up in Utica and was a member of the Utica Baptist Church. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and continued lessons for many years. Jean was a LaSalle-Peru High School graduate. She was an accomplished pianist. Jean was a pianist at Brookfield Presbyterian Church in Brookfield Township. She also played at weddings, funerals, nursing homes, and for her own enjoyment.
Jean married Everette Caldwell on August 16, 1947, at the Utica Baptist Church. After her marriage, Jean worked at the Bank of Oglesby. After several years, Jean and Everette moved to the family farm in Brookfield Township. Jean co-owned Caldwell Mutual Insurance Company in Grand Ridge. In 1997, Jean and Everette moved back to her childhood home in Utica.
Jean was a true farm wife helping Everette take care of the farm while raising their three children. Jean spent many hours in her vegetable garden and froze and canned fruits and vegetables for her family, her parents, and her sister’s family. Jean was also an outstanding cook and baker. Jean and Everette celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2017.
Jean will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her children, Kathy (Larry) Melz, of Trivoli, IL, Sandy (George) Wilson, of Mesa, AZ, and Mark (Carolyn) Caldwell, of Utica; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Everette; her parents, Fred and Helen Prentice; her sister, Marilyn Joiner; one grandson, Geoffrey Wilson, and an infant granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Utica Fire Department and Ambulance Services.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433