Carmen Lynn Jansen, age 65 of rural Carlyle, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Carmen was born to Millard and Betty (Staton) Leroy on February 3, 1961, in Highland, Illinois. She met her best friend, Gene Jansen, in the hog barns at the 1980 Madison County Fair, and they were married on March 28, 1981, at the Bethany Baptist Church in Highland.
Carmen is survived by her husband, Gene Jansen; her sister, Tammy (Larry) Brink of Highland; her mother-in-law, Dee Singler of Huey; her sisters-in-law, Glenda (Jack) Newcomb of Centralia and Gale Brink of Sandoval; a brother-in-law, Gary (Donna) Jansen of Huey; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law, Russel Singler; and a nephew, Greg Bolton.
Carmen was a woman with a caring heart who dedicated much of her life to serving others. She retired from Carlyle Healthcare Center in 2019 after 32 years of service, where she was known for always treating residents with respect and dignity. In recognition of her compassion and dedication, she received the Long-Term Care Nursing Association’s Certified Nurse’s Assistant of the Year Award in 2017. Carmen was also active in her faith and community, serving as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship Group at Carlyle Christian Church, and she currently attended The Rock Church in Centralia. She shared her musical talents as a vocalist with the gospel group Proclamation and was honored as the Illinois Pork Producers Association 1980 Pork Queen in Madison County.
Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home (1111 Clinton St. Carlyle, IL) on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, and at the Carlyle Christian Church (1025 Lake Road, Carlyle, IL) on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12:00 Noon – 1:30 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at the Carlyle Christian Church on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Steve Upchurch, officiating. Interment will take place at Gullick Cemetery in rural Highland at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Carmen are suggested to the Children’s Ministry at the Rock Church and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
