Janet Lou (Deering) Whelpley

Janet Deering Whelpley, age 65, passed away at her home on Sunday, July 2, 2006 surrounded by her loving family. Janet resided in West Branch most of her life. She married her husband George on April 14, 1986. Janet loved flower gardening and her euchre club. She was actively involved in the Michigan Probate and Juvenile Register's Association and served as President of the association for many years. She was honored by the Michigan Supreme Court for 33 years of dedicated service to the Michigan Justice System, to the citizens of Michigan, and specifically to the people of Ogemaw County, beginning in 1969 until her retirement in 2003. Surviving family members include Janet’s husband George of West Branch, daughter Kelly Shawn (Lewis) Henderson of Midland, son Kenneth Joseph (Mary Jo) Deering of Grand Rapids, daughter Kendra Lee Deering (Kevin Penny) of Midland and daughter Kimberly Deering (James) Graham of Jackson; step-children Thomas Jay (Trish) Whelpley, Lynn Ann (Jim) Underwood and Kathleen Marie (Mike) Peters; 11 grandchildren Jon, Lance, Kory, Kirk, Makenzie, Kurt, Tim, Rebecca, Jared, Jacob, Jada and 2 great-grandchildren Kayla, Kennedy Janet; step-grandchildren Samantha, George, Chelsie, Jessica, Taylor, James, NancyAnn, David, Michael, Jeffrey, and Ronald; sister Dorlene Mae Cooley of West Branch, brother Ronald Loran Reed of Rose City, brother Donald Melvin Reed of West Branch, sister Mary Louise Massaro of Dunedin, Florida and brother David Jack Reed of Battle Creek; Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2006 at Trinity Episcopal Church in West Branch with The Rev. Philip A. Seitz officiating. The burial will take place after the luncheon. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands.