Jennie V. (Vernetti) Roberts

Some people only walk this earth for a short time, but others are blessed with a long long-lived life.

Jennie Vernetti Roberts, 101, of Nokomis, earned her Angel wings and went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2023, at 12:35 AM, at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, after a long struggle with dementia. 

Jennie was born at home to Italian immigrants, John Batista Rosina and Jennie (Noascone) Vernetti on February 1, 1922.  She was the youngest of 5 siblings, Frank (Loretta) Vernetti, Lawrence (Elvira) Vernetti, (Frank and Lawrence were both born in Italy), Margaret (William) Arkebauer, John (Miriam) Vernetti and Rose (Owen) Ellis. 

Jennie married the love of her life, Albert E. Roberts, on her twenty-fifth birthday on February 1, 1947 and they were married for over 51 years.  Al returned from WWII, where he was a paratrooper for the 101st Airbourne Division.  He preceded her in death on June 7, 1998.

Jennie graduated from Nokomis Township High School, walking to school daily from Wenonah.  She graduated at the age of 16 and went to work in various jobs in Chicago and California, then working at the ammunition plant in Joliet, Illinois during WWII.  Jennie returned to her roots and settled in Nokomis, got married, raised her family and devoted her life to them.  She then worked at Hedland’s Manufacturing in the office, while raising their children.  She eventually worked for,  and retired from,  the State of Illinois, Department of Revenue, Internal Affairs Office, while car-pooling to Springfield daily. 

Jennie followed her dreams and became a world traveler to all parts of the world.  She saw pyramids and rode camels in Egypt, walked the great Wall of China, climbed Aryes Rock in Australia, visited family in Italy several times and her favorite trip was exploring New Zealand. 

She was a devout Catholic who attended St. Louis Catholic Church in Nokomis.  She was one of the founding members of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Nokomis Chapter and held various offices, a member of St. Louis Alter Society, Business & Professional Women of Nokomis, and was an avid quilter helping make quilts for the church and making wedding quilts for her grandchildren.  Jennie loved flowers, gardening, animals and was an avid reader, usually knowing more history than her guides due to her thorough research.

Jennie was devoted to her daughters and grandchildren.  She travelled all over the state for her 7 grandchildren’s sporting and life events.  She often boasted that all of her children and grandchildren graduated from college.

Jennie is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Tom) Workman of Sherman, Karen Roberts of Springfield and Pat (Byron) Schneider of Nokomis.  She was blessed with 7 grandchildren, Vicki (Ian) Sutker of Springfield, Michael (Brittany) Workman of Sherman, Christopher (Jennifer) Workman of Mt. Zion, Philip (Lindsay) Schneider of Taylorville, Adam (Jamie) Schneider of Marshall, Lukas (Kim Kish) Schneider of Morrisonville and Dr. Ashley (Dr. Michael Gleason) Schneider of Terre Haute, IN.  Jennie was especially blessed with 13 great grandchildren, Tristan, Kaitlyn and Makenna Sutker, Bailey and Jackson Workman, Landon and Kendrick Workman, Sadie and Cade Schneider, August, Alexander, William and Maximus Schneider. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Al and all of her brothers and sisters and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation:  Saturday, October 7, 2023, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Louis Catholic Church, Nokomis

Funeral Mass:  Following the visitation at 12:00 PM (noon) with Father John Burnett officiating.

 Burial:  Following the funeral Mass at Calvary Cemetery, Nokomis, Illinois

In lieu of flowers, plants and other gifts, the family suggests that donations be to given to St. Louis Catholic School, St. Louis Catholic Church or Christian County Animal Control in memory of Jennie.

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