Wynellen Jones Amerlan, 75, of Willow Springs, Illinois, passed into glory on Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Wyn was born on December 11, 1947, to William John Jones, Jr., and Harriette Jones (née Miller) in Milford, Connecticut. After graduating as valedictorian from Jonathan Law High School, she went on to study English Literature in Illinois, earning her bachelor’s degree at Wheaton College and master’s degree at Northwestern University.

Wyn lived with passion and purpose, seeking always to bring God glory through her words and actions. God used her to impact and influence many lives.

In the late 1960s, she became the first staff member for Young Life in the area, at that time including the Hinsdale, Lyons Township and York high schools. Through Young Life, she met her husband, Howard Amerlan, a mathematics teacher at Lyons Township High School. Following their marriage, Wyn and Howard continued to serve with Young Life for a number of years.

Her work with young people inspired Wyn’s desire to open a Christian bookstore. She believed that knowledge of the Truth would illuminate falsehood. In the early 1970s she established and then managed a small Christian bookstore in downtown Hinsdale for Young Life and later for her dear friend Ruth Hanson. Wyn took over ownership in the late 1980s. They called the store Loaves and Fishes, believing that God would take their small offering and multiply it to feed many. It operated in Hinsdale for over thirty years. Wyn’s recommendations for curriculums and Bible Study material were sought out by many churches and small groups in the area, and she seemed always able to recommend a book to help with any need.

Wyn joined Howard as an active member of Western Springs Baptist Church. Over the years Wyn was involved in youth ministry, children’s ministry and church leadership. She was passionate about finding ever more effective ways to instill in children the profound truths found in scripture. For many years Wyn taught the Tuesday morning Women’s Bible Study. She loved to dive into the context of scripture, to draw out practical applications for women’s lives, and to counsel them in living out their Christian faith. Howard and Wyn also shared a heart for helping individuals and families in crisis, listening and offering advice, opening their home, and coming alongside.

Wyn and Howard actively support missions and missionaries. In 1998, their daughter, Kathryn, went to Athens, Greece as a missionary. Wyn and Howard visited frequently over the following years, assisting at the refugee center. Wyn served on the board of Africa Initiative, founded by Josiah Choms, who has been like a son to them. A highlight was Howard and Wyn’s visit to Nigeria in 2014.

Wyn is survived by her husband, Howard; their daughter, Kathryn and husband Ilir Cami; grandchildren Matthew and Ana. She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth Jones and wife Carol; nephew Barton Jones and wife Toni; niece Alyssa and husband Anthony Franklin; great-nieces and nephews Aidan, Adeline Wyn, Owen and Wolfgang. Wyn will be missed by other extended family and friends, including her uncle, Donald Jones and wife Barbara; her friend and cousin, Beverly and husband Jim Barr; Josiah Choms and wife Modupe and children Josiah, Isaiah and Isabella.

Her family will host a Celebration of Life service at Western Springs Baptist Church,  4475 Wolf Rd., Western Springs, on Saturday, September 2 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to Fox Valley Christian Action at fvca.org, or through IAFR to One Heart Medical Ministry in Athens, Greece at iafr.org/athens.

 

Arrangements by Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500.