Julianne DeHaan

Julianne DeHaan, age 86, of Petersburg, Illinois, passed into the loving arms of her Lord on September 3, 2026. Born on July 18, 1940, in Harvard, Illinois, Julianne was the eldest of eight children of Obed and Juliette Wyse. She graduated from Alden Hebron High School in 1958 and earned her degree from Northern Illinois University in 1962. On August 4 of that same year, she married her high school sweetheart, Charlie DeHaan, beginning a remarkable marriage that flourished for nearly 64 years. Julianne and Charlie built a beautiful life in Richmond, Illinois, where they raised four children. As her family grew, Julianne began working as a substitute teacher at Richmond Grade School before becoming a second grade teacher there, a role she cherished for many years until her retirement in 2003. Teaching was never simply a job to her—it was a calling. Her legacy endures in the kindness, curiosity, and confidence she nurtured in hundreds of young students. A devoted servant of God, Julianne lived her faith with quiet strength and unwavering commitment. She was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Petersburg, finding deep joy in praying the Rosary and attending Mass. Her greatest earthly joys were her husband, her children, and the grandchildren and great grandchildren who lit up her life. She is survived by her son Kevin (Diane) DeHaan of Taylor, Missouri; her daughters Denise (Ed) Rohrer of Petersburg, Illinois, and Cindy (Scott) Geest of Highland, Illinois; and her daughter in law Jessie DeHaan of Berthoud, Colorado. Julianne is also survived by her grandchildren: Ryan (Kelly) DeHaan, Trevor (Erin) DeHaan, Shannon (Cody) Knuffman, Jared DeHaan, Kristen (Sean) Duggan, Trenton (Destiny) Rohrer, Megan Rohrer, Morgan (Jack) Hayes, Nathan DeHaan, Jack Geest, Hannah Geest, and Nolan Geest; and her great grandchildren Brooks and Harper DeHaan; Thomas, Oliver, and Claire Rohrer; and Kennedy DeHaan. She is further survived by her siblings Maureen (Gary) Finley, Phil (Janean) Wyse, Tom (Denise) Wyse, and Alan Wyse. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charlie; her parents, Obed and Juliette Wyse; her son Randy; her infant daughter Anne; her infant grandson Justin DeHaan; her sisters Dianne Streit and Delores Keil; and her brother Ronald Wyse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 12, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Petersburg, Illinois. Family and friends may gather for visitation at the St. Peter’s Parish Center from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Petersburg. Hurley Funeral Home of Petersburg is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Simmons Cancer Research or Dementia Research, c/o SIU Foundation at the School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19666, Springfield, IL 62794 9666.

Julianne DeHaan

July 18, 1940 - September 3, 2026

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