Jayne Powers, Oak Lawn's Longest Serving Village Clerk Dies At 85

OAK LAWN, IL -- Oak Lawn’s longest serving village clerk Jayne Powers passed away on Wednesday. She was 85 years old. Jayne was Oak Lawn's biggest civic booster. Chances are that if it was happening in Oak Lawn, Jayne was at the center organizing, advocating or volunteering.

Jayne served as the Village Clerk of Oak Lawn for 28 years under the late mayor Ernie Kolb. She remained in that role until 2005, when she ran unsuccessfully for mayor.

“She was a great lady and a hard worker,” Village Clerk Jane Quinlan said. “She was very well respected in this job. We still get calls from residents asking for her.”

Jayne was also a long time member of the Oak Lawn Park District Board of Commissioners. She was a founding trustee of the Oak Lawn Parks Foundation and remained a trustee up until her death, working to raise funds and advocate for open space, leisure and recreation programs, and environmental preservation of the village parks.

“Jayne was a long-time supporter of the Oak Lawn Park District and its mission,” said Vince Clark, the park district’s superintendent of communications. “We were saddened to hear of her passing.”

She was the beloved wife of Thomas Joseph Powers, and loving mother of Tom Powers, Kevin Powers and Sharon Powers- Landis. Jayne was the cherished grandmother of Megan, Alyssa (Bob), Russel, Leann, Joseph, Kevin and Samuel, and the proud great-grandmother of Jocelyn. She was the devoted sister of Sharyn (the late William) Guerin, and the treasured aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Jayne will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Thompson-Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St. Oak Lawn. A funeral Mass is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at St. Linus Church, 10300 Lawler Ave., Oak Lawn, leaving the funeral home at 10 a.m.

Photos: Jayne Powers, circa 1998 (Oak Lawn Public Library); and historic photos from the Village of Oak Lawn.