Jennifer Volk

Jennifer L. (McCombs) Volk passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 10:25 a.m. surrounded by those she said were her proudest accomplishments, her husband, Larry and her three children.  

Jennifer was born to Leland Archie and Wilma Mae (Bartlett) McCombs on May 28, 1947 at Sarah D. Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, Illinois.  She was the 4th of 12 children and her role of providing care and support for her siblings followed her through her entire life and professional career.  Jennifer would not have allowed it any other way. 

She attended Schuyler County grade schools and graduated from Rushville High School with the class of 1965.  Following high school, Jennifer attended Passavant Area Hospital School of Nursing and graduated with the class of 1969 as a Registered Nurse.  A truly natural calling.  

It was during this chapter, on July 17, 1967 she met the man she truly loved named Lawrence “Larry” F. Volk and they were married in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mt. Sterling on November 15, 1969.  They spent 54 years creating the next chapters together.  Jennifer and Larry’s family grew to include their three children, Dawn Marie, Elizabeth Lynn and Todd Lawrence and everyone knew those children were top priority to her.  So much so that after the birth of Dawn, Jennifer left her true passion of the surgery team at Passavant to work in a nursing home so Dawn wouldn’t be rushed when a call came in!  Jennifer’s nursing then led her to the Brown County Public Health Department for a short time before she moved into the role she is largely remembered and loved for, Brown County School District Nurse from 1974 to 1981.  The students during that time stamped an imprint on Jennifer’s heart that would never diminish.  It was also during this time she instilled her passion of nursing with several students through the Future Nurses of America high school organization.  The time came for Jennifer to return to her calling and in 1981 she returned to floor nursing at Sarah D. Culbertson Memorial Hospital where she would remain until retirement in 2007, serving as a floor nurse, infectious control nurse and discharge planner.  It was in these capacities she was able to do what she loved, help others.  

During the retirement chapter, Jennifer was able to do some traveling with her family, shopping and her other favorite thing, quilting with dear friends.  Jennifer was blessed to have retired early because in 2013 her health gave her a new challenge.  Through every hurdle, fall and bump, she got back up and pushed right on through each and every day until she joined the Lord in heaven.  Her earthly family is so inspired and proud of her resilience, courage, determination and faith and vows to continue her legacy.  

Jennifer is survived by her husband, Lawrence “Larry” Volk of rural Mt. Sterling, daughters, Dawn (Douglas) Dunn of Mt. Sterling and Elizabeth “Liz” (Aaron) Garrett of Perry, Illinois and son, Todd (Megan) Volk of LeRoy, Illinois.   Her grandchildren were also blessed to have Jennifer as she NEVER missed a game, play, dance recital, cheer competition, gymnastics event or pageant!  Blessed were Danielle Elizabeth (Brandon) Flesner of Clayton, Meghan Frances (Terry) Scheer of Mt. Sterling, Lauren Marie Dunn and companion Blake Law of Quincy, Isaac Todd and Isabelle Dawn Garrett of Perry and Peyton Jean Volk, Cody Lawrence Volk and Whitley Kay Volk all of Le Roy.  Jennifer was also blessed to get to be “Grandma Bolk” to two great grandsons, Braylon Scott Douglas Flesner and Luke Thomas Scheer.  

She is also survived by her sisters, Jerris L. (Bob) Oest of Havana, Jackie L. (Dan) Cogswell of Meredosia, Joy L. (Todd) Mendenhall of Havana and Julia L. (Sam) Gregory of Chicago, her brothers James L. “Jim” McCombs of Rushville, Jon L. McCombs (companion Kathleen Behymer) of Astoria, Joel L. McCombs (Jean) of Rushville and Jan L. McCombs (Sandy) of Littleton.  Sisters-in-law Sharon McCombs of Galax, Virginia, Mary Jo McCombs of St. Petersburg, Florida, Sister Mary Samuella Volk of Springfield, Illinois, Mary Agnes “Ag” Patterson (Bob) of Springfield, Teresa Frazier (Bob) of Pittsfield and Mary L. Volk of Crystal Lake.  Jennifer is survived by generations of nieces and nephews totaling in the hundreds.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Jerry L. and Jeffrey L. McCombs, sister Janet L.(Bill) Lavery, brothers-in-law Richard “Dick” and Laura Volk, Robert “Bob” and Rozella “Pinky” Volk, James “Jimmy” and Pat Volk and Frank Volk, sisters-in-law Kathryn “Scoot” and Roger Shelts, Shirley and Robert “Bob” Langan and Philda McCombs and Karen McCombs.

Jennifer was raised in the methodist faith but met a catholic priest while attending Passavant, who she was fond of and who shared with her the catholic faith.  Due to this friendship, Jennifer was baptized and confirmed a catholic and was parishioner of Holy Family Church in Mt. Sterling. 

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2021 in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mt. Sterling with Father Aaron Kuhn and Deacon Mike Ellerman officiating. 

Burial will follow in the Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.  A prayer service will be held at the conclusion of the visitation. 

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Holy Family Catholic Church.  

Condolences for the family may be left on line at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

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