Janis Arlene (Nielsen) York, formerly of Harrisburg

Janis Arlene (Nielsen) York, 79, of Paducah, Kentucky and formerly of Harrisburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home at 5:21 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Janis was born on Sept. 7, 1942 in Riverside, Illinois to Marshall and Emma Mae Nielsen. While traveling to Harrisburg, Illinois with a friend, it was there that she met and married the love of her life, Ronald F. York. The pair were married in 1962 until he departed this world in 2019.

Janis was of the Methodist faith and selflessly loved helping others. This is the reason that she chose her career path as a registered nurse. She attended McKendree College and worked as an RN at Ferrell Hospital, and later became a home health care RN for the Visiting Nurse Association in Eldorado, Illinois. She loved her job until her retirement.

Janis was a wonderful mother and grandmother. There was nothing that she would not do for her children, and there are no words as to how much she will be missed. She deeply loved her family and was happiest when they were all together. As a talented self-taught cook, there was nothing that she loved to do more than to prepare home-cooked meals for her family.

She also enjoyed gardening with her husband and sharing their produce with others. She loved dogs, Dairy Queen strawberry ice cream sundaes, gardening, crafts, card games and Yahtzee, black licorice and scratch off lottery tickets.

She is survived by her four children, David York of Harrisburg, Linda (Chuck) Medlin of Paducah, Jeff (Amy) York of Old Hickory, Tennessee, and Marsha (Tim) York of Evansville, Indiana; four grandchildren, Kalyn (Oscar) Hernandez, Tyler York, Ellie (Cody) Medlin and Jaci York; and two great-grandchildren, Camila and Javi Hernandez.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was proceeded in death by her two sisters, Linda Cordes and Gloria Everard, and her nephew, Michael Cordes.

A private burial will be held at Sunset Lawn Cemetery. The family will hold a celebration of life for family and friends to attend at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions made to your local animal shelter.

Hughes Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements. You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.hughesfuneral.com.