Janseen Ray Hand
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” – Yogi Berra
Janseen Hand, age 54, dedicated husband and father, born on June 26, 1970, in Carbondale, passed away on December 31, 2024, in Burghausen, Germany, due to complications from a heart attack and infection. He was surrounded by several family members.
Janseen’s priorities in life were his sons Nolan and Reese, and his wife Kelly, their well-being always came first.
He had an enormous heart, a wonderful sense of humor and was a kind soul who never met a stranger. He was a man of Christian faith who was generous, loyal, brave and always full of laughter and jokes.
Growing up he was an avid baseball player and lived for summer Khoury League. He had an undeniable natural talent as a pitcher and third baseman and was fearless at the plate. He played at Cobden High School all four years. He went on to play for John A. Logan Community College in Carterville and Belmont College in Nebraska before signing with the National League’s Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992.
His love of baseball continued through summer coaching of his son’s teams. He had natural rapport with the boys that he helped coach and treated them with respect and always looked to encourage and build them up, which in turn caused them to respect him immensely still to this day.
He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his stories and hilarious sense of humor. He was a true inspiration of courage and strength. He was determined to win and was the guy you wanted on your team – and there are many teams out there who will feel his absence.
Janseen is survived by his wife, Kelly Hand; two sons, Nolan Hand and Reese Hand; his parents, Henry Hand and Edna Mae (Johnson) of Cobden; brothers Henry (Dawn) Hand of Anna, Tony (Robbie) Hand of Skiatook, Okla., John Hand of Cobden and Eric Hand of Jacksonville, Ill.; sister Stephanie (Geoff) Ritter of Murphysboro; brother-in-law Corey South of Marion; aunt Mildred (Mike) Dewitt of Ullin; great-aunt Jean Goolsby of Cobden; uncle George (Linda) Hand of Buckhannon, W. Va.; aunt Jean Marie (Mike) Thorton of Zeigler; aunt Lucille (Butch) Carpenter of Paragould, Ark.; aunt Debbie (Wade) McArthur of Collinsville; aunt Betty Johnson; and great-aunt Erma Shelton of Jonesboro.
He was “Uncle Jake” to many nieces and nephews who surely all have a story to tell of his shenanigans.
We have thrown many prayers to you Jake, may you catch every one of them and know that you are loved by many. Rest in Peace.
Funeral services will be at 12 noon Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Cobden High School Gymnasium, with Bradley Dexter officiating.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. and until the service at 12 noon at the Cobden High School Gymnasium.
Interment will be in the Cobden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are preferred to his sons, Nolan and Reese Hand. Envelopes will be available at the school on the day of the service and at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden is in charge of arrangements.