Janet Arlene (Creek) Poole

Janet Arlene (Creek) Poole, 77, of St. Augustine, Florida, and formerly of Herrin, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2024, after suffering a stroke. 

Janet Arlene (Creek) Poole was the first child born to TJ and Evelyn Creek, in Herrin, Illinois, September 29th, 1946. She was followed by her beloved sisters, Judy (Creek) Collins and Cathy (Creek) McCree. Janet received all of her holy sacraments at her home parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, where she also attended elementary and jr. high school. Janet was a very bright and active student at Herrin Township High School, participating in the honor society, school paper, choir, drama club and cheerleading, to name a few. It was in high school that she met and began dating a handsome coed named Jerry Poole, from her rival high school’s football team. After both graduating in 1964, Jerry was called to Vietnam, and Janet left for nursing school in St. Louis, Missouri, where she graduated in 1967. Nursing became one of Janet’s most treasured jobs and accomplishments. Upon his return, Jerry asked Janet to be his wife, and they began their young life together in June of 1968.

It was in Columbia, Missouri where the new Poole’s welcomed their first son, Erik Michael in October 1971. In 1979, they moved to Mattoon, Illinois, where Janet worked as an ER Nurse at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and was key in starting the EMS program there that is going strong today. In Mattoon, they welcomed their second son, Timothy James, in February 1980. Jerry’s career moved them to South Florida (North Lauderdale and shortly afterward, Coconut Creek) in 1984, and Janet continued her work as an ER nurse at Northwest Hospital, eventually transitioning her career into Risk Management at the hospital. Janet loved playing tennis, participating in the Coconut Creek Women’s club, and was constantly involved in supporting events in the local community. As her children graduated and began their own lives, she changed career paths again, joining Team Health, and eventually worked her way up to Sr. VP of Operations for the Southeastern United States. After 30+ years in the healthcare field, Janet finally chose to retire, and spent her free time volunteering as a mentor to students at Coconut Creek High School, when not doting on her two beloved granddaughters, Leta Eve and Shea Erin Poole.

In 2022, Jerry passed away, and Janet relocated to St. Augustine, Florida to be close to her son Tim and his wife and daughters.

People remember Janet for being very smart and quick witted, incredibly fun, for her up-for-anything attitude, and her devotion to God and her family. She was a vibrant part of every group she touched and is sorely missed by her family and friends that she’s left behind.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2024, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin, with Fr. Mark Reyling officiating. Inurnment will follow at San Carlo Catholic Cemetery in Herrin.

Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville assisted the family with local arrangements. 

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