1945
Jean
2025
Jean Dunn
October 6, 1945 — September 11, 2025
Jean Dunn, age (almost) 80, a birthday she really wanted to reach, left this earth after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Doniphan, Missouri, to Walter and Ruby Hastings, the fourth of nine children. She moved to Illinois and attended Harlem High School. She married Harold Roberson in 1963 and together they raised three children. She later married Murt Dunn. She has been the partner of Dominic Negri for the past 27 years until his death in 2023.
Mom was the kind of person who went above and beyond for holidays, school projects, work and friendships. She enjoyed making Lori and Lana matching outfits and sewing Halloween costumes for Ryan. We always had a garden, great home-cooking, delicious desserts and more love than we probably deserved.
Jean worked at Amerock until her children were born. She then reentered the workforce in the early 1980's. She worked for Breck's Hallmark and later took a position at LensCrafters and became an optician. She worked at Rockford Optical and then purchased Lincoln Optical and operated it until her retirement. She was able to help thousands of people see better while choosing the right style for every patient.
She was good friends with her Oak Village Condo neighbors, especially Debbie, Marietta, Butch and Steve. She and Dominic wintered in Rockport, Texas and she formed sister-type friendships of more than twenty years with many; especially Lila, Patsy, Julie and Carole.
She gained three stepchildren when Dominic and mom met in 1996. She was so proud of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, always hoping new births would bring another generation of her red hair! She and Dominic enjoyed snowmobiles, camping, gambling for fun, "discussing" politics, and many happy years of loving companionship. Recently, mom enjoyed family time at the Rockton American Legion for the weekly meat raffle. She loved every holiday that included getting together for a meal and seeing her family. An annual family "Fried Green Tomato Fest" was one of her favorites.
Survivors include Lori Hinueber, Lana (Scott) Harker, Ryan Roberson, and Dominic's children, Jodie Ann (Mike) Greene, Jeff (Dana) Negri and Sheila (Tony) Finley, Grandchildren, Alli (Drew) Mains, Jessi (Devin) Woods, Annie (Taylor) Smith, Joe Hinueber, Great Grandchildren Cameron Smith, Henry and Everett Woods, along with several grandkids and great grandkids of Dominic's; granddogs, Nettie, Obi, and Gertie.
Jean also was very close to her surviving siblings, Kathy Gillette, Betty (Jack) Basford, Jo Ann (Gary) Lake and Steve Hackworth. The girls had weekly "Hen Parties" to share family stories and memories.
She was predeceased by Dominic Negri, Harold Roberson; son-in-law, Dean Hinueber, grandchildren, quadruplets, John, Jennifer, Michael and Charles Hinueber; sisters, Clarice (Lehman) Holder, Karen Walsh and brothers, Jerry (Marie) Hastings, Ken Hastings, brother-in-law, Bill Gillette, her parents and many, many lifelong friends.
Mom has requested no services, since we just had an early 80 th birthday party in late July. She had a blast visiting with friends and family. She would rather have those she loved to remember her for the fun they had the last time they were together. She really lived her life and enjoyed it until the end. Her motto, "She believed she could, so she did!" has been instilled in her kids, grandkids and will be passed down to her great grandkids. We will all miss you Mom, you were the greatest!
In honoring Jean's wishes, her children would request, if you wish to donate in mom's name, please choose a cancer research foundation of your choice. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com
Mom was the kind of person who went above and beyond for holidays, school projects, work and friendships. She enjoyed making Lori and Lana matching outfits and sewing Halloween costumes for Ryan. We always had a garden, great home-cooking, delicious desserts and more love than we probably deserved.
Jean worked at Amerock until her children were born. She then reentered the workforce in the early 1980's. She worked for Breck's Hallmark and later took a position at LensCrafters and became an optician. She worked at Rockford Optical and then purchased Lincoln Optical and operated it until her retirement. She was able to help thousands of people see better while choosing the right style for every patient.
She was good friends with her Oak Village Condo neighbors, especially Debbie, Marietta, Butch and Steve. She and Dominic wintered in Rockport, Texas and she formed sister-type friendships of more than twenty years with many; especially Lila, Patsy, Julie and Carole.
She gained three stepchildren when Dominic and mom met in 1996. She was so proud of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, always hoping new births would bring another generation of her red hair! She and Dominic enjoyed snowmobiles, camping, gambling for fun, "discussing" politics, and many happy years of loving companionship. Recently, mom enjoyed family time at the Rockton American Legion for the weekly meat raffle. She loved every holiday that included getting together for a meal and seeing her family. An annual family "Fried Green Tomato Fest" was one of her favorites.
Survivors include Lori Hinueber, Lana (Scott) Harker, Ryan Roberson, and Dominic's children, Jodie Ann (Mike) Greene, Jeff (Dana) Negri and Sheila (Tony) Finley, Grandchildren, Alli (Drew) Mains, Jessi (Devin) Woods, Annie (Taylor) Smith, Joe Hinueber, Great Grandchildren Cameron Smith, Henry and Everett Woods, along with several grandkids and great grandkids of Dominic's; granddogs, Nettie, Obi, and Gertie.
Jean also was very close to her surviving siblings, Kathy Gillette, Betty (Jack) Basford, Jo Ann (Gary) Lake and Steve Hackworth. The girls had weekly "Hen Parties" to share family stories and memories.
She was predeceased by Dominic Negri, Harold Roberson; son-in-law, Dean Hinueber, grandchildren, quadruplets, John, Jennifer, Michael and Charles Hinueber; sisters, Clarice (Lehman) Holder, Karen Walsh and brothers, Jerry (Marie) Hastings, Ken Hastings, brother-in-law, Bill Gillette, her parents and many, many lifelong friends.
Mom has requested no services, since we just had an early 80 th birthday party in late July. She had a blast visiting with friends and family. She would rather have those she loved to remember her for the fun they had the last time they were together. She really lived her life and enjoyed it until the end. Her motto, "She believed she could, so she did!" has been instilled in her kids, grandkids and will be passed down to her great grandkids. We will all miss you Mom, you were the greatest!
In honoring Jean's wishes, her children would request, if you wish to donate in mom's name, please choose a cancer research foundation of your choice. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Dunn, please visit our flower store.
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