Jillian Rebekah Geuns Hege, 23, of Annawan, Illinois danced her way to greet her heavenly family on Friday, July 27, 2012.  Jill’s death resulted from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  She had been transported by helicopter to St. Francis OSF in Peoria, where she gave her organs to the Gift of Hope so that others might live.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  Graveside services for family and close friends will be held Tuesday, July 31 at the Dayton Corner’s Cemetery, Colona, IL.  A general visitation / celebration of life will be held Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the Colona United Methodist Church. In lieu of Flowers and statues the family request’s Memorials to the Jillian Hege Memorial fund.  In honor of Jill, please wear your “comfy clothes” to attend – jeans, tees, boots, or flip flops, etc. Vandemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements.
   Jillian was born April 8, 1989 in Geneseo, IL to James and Becky (Roesner) Geuns.  She attended school and graduated from Geneseo High School in 2007.  She had been an avid dancer for 15 years, having owned her own dance studio, Dance Sensations, for several years.  She had attended classes at BHC and had been on the GHS Pom Squad.  Jillian had been a Co-Op student at the Geneseo Library her senior year.  She had been a member of the Geneseo First United Methodist Church and the Green River United Methodist Church, where she was an avid teacher and participant in lyrical dance, and learned her love of God and all His creations thru many loving, talented adult mentors and teachers.  Jillian had been an 11 year member of the Geneseo Girl Scouts and had earned her bronze, silver, and gold awards.  She had earned the Geneseo Woman’s Club Outstanding Senior Girl award at graduation from high school.  She volunteered many hours at the Henry County Fair at the admission gates.  She had also fostered kittens for the animal shelter.
   Jillian married Kameron Hege on July 9, 2011 in Colona, IL.  They bought a home in Annawan and lived well for a year.  Jillian is survived by her husband,  Kam, Annawan;  parents: Jim and Becky Geuns of Green River; mother-in-law: Kandy Hege, Annawan; father-in-law: Ken Hege, Temple, TX; grandparents-in-law: Robert and Elizabeth Bennett, Annawan; 2 brothers: Michael (Mandy) Geuns , Prophetstown, IL  and Caleb Geuns, Leroy, IL; sister, Kari Geuns, Maquoketa, IA; niece, Allison Vandemore, Maquoketa, IA; nephew, Blake Geuns, Prophetstown, IL; 3 Aunts: Gerilyn (John) Pritchard, Sally (Ernie) Fuhr, Susan Djiovanis; 3 Uncles: Ken (Deb) Geuns, Mike (Pat) Roesner, Bill (Pam) Roesner; 13 cousins and many second cousins; her feline friends: Al, Angus, and Freddy Sue; and many, many friends.
   She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Chester and Carol Roesner, and her paternal grandparents, Art and Roberta Geuns.
   Jillian loved children and was an adoring aunt.  She loved cats, gummy bears, all things country, shopping, and vacationing in Florida.   Jill epitomized the expression, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but rather, dancing in the rain.”