MENDOTA - Janet Ann “Jani” Brandner, 79, of Mendota went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Dec. 14, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family after losing a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20 at the Mendota Bible Church, 4129 N. State Hwy. 251, Mendota with Pastor Brian Kelly and longtime friend, Rev. Bill Bufton presiding. A luncheon will be served afterwards at the church. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle.

Jani was born May 24, 1939 in LaSalle to Elmer “Chip” and Winifred (Weber) Gmeiner. She married Donald “Ducky” Brandner on June 10, 1960.

Survivors include her husband; one brother, Gerald (Joannie) Gmeiner; five children, Donald (Karen) Brandner Jr., David (Dorothy) Brandner, Lisa (Michael) Papp, Jennifer (Ken Sparks) Brandner and Jason Brandner; and 18 grandchildren, Mathias, Andrew, Katherine, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Rachel, Lukas, Grace, Aaron, Logan and Lucie Brandner, Joseph, Emily and Daniel Papp, Logan Sparks, Thanh Nguyen and Daniel Francis.

Jani graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1957. She loved her family with all her heart and was loved so very much by all of them. She also loved her friends, her church and her dogs (and granddogs).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to her church, Mendota Bible Church, 4129 N. State Hwy. 251, Mendota, 61342 or her favorite animal shelter, Illinois Valley Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 284, Peru, IL 61354.

Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.