Nancy J. Verkler, 87, Lake Forest

Nancy Jane Verkler, 87, of Lake Forest, Illinois died Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the company of family members. She was born February 22, 1936 in Peoria, Illinois to James S. and Beatrice (Tinen) Flanigon. She grew up in Peoria, where she attended high school at the Academy of Our Lady. In 1958, Nancy received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Fontbonne University, St. Louis, Missouri, and took a position as a third-grade teacher in Champaign, Illinois. She later taught third grade in Middleton, Wisconsin. Nancy married her high-school sweetheart, Richard L. (Dick) Verkler, in Peoria on August 2, 1958. She and Dick, who together reared four children, would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this August.

Nancy enjoyed travel with her husband and friends throughout the United States and abroad. She also deeply enjoyed time spent in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and in Green Lake, Wisconsin. She was as passionate about the current state of world affairs and the prospects for future generations as she was about her responsibilities and love for her family. Her compassion for animals in need manifested itself in efforts to feed baby birds who lost their mothers and the nursing to health and adoption of stray cats. She was proud of her Irish heritage and passed that pride along to her children. She will be missed for all of these things as well as her honesty, intelligence, and witty sense of humor.

Nancy is survived by her husband Dick, her children Richard A. (Marianne) Verkler, Cynthia M. Wade, Jennifer C. (James) Marshall, and Wendy E. Verkler; her seven grandchildren Jonathan Verkler, Ann Marie Verkler (the late Carl) Sorensen, Kevin (Alana) Verkler, Sarah and Rachel Wade, and Madelyne and Bridget Marshall; her great-grandson, Oliver J. Verkler; her sister Kathleen Flanigon (the late Robert) Naab; her brother-in-law David (the late Betty) Verkler and her sister-in-law Linda Verkler (Edward Zempel), as well as many nieces and nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James T. (Salete) Flanigon.

Nancy’s family will greet friends from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave., Lake Forest, and a Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. A graveside burial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Peoria, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School (stjo.org) or Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (hshs.org).

Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.