Elizabeth Jane Shepherd

1953 - 2025

Elizabeth "Janie" Jane Shepherd
Big Rapids, Michigan
03/27/1953 - 10/13/2025
Elizabeth Jane Shepherd, 72, of Big Rapids passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025.
She was born on March 27, 1953, in Royal Oak, MI, the daughter of Charles and Doris (Kreager) Wiedman.
"Janie" attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic High School in Farmington, MI. She then earned an Associate's Degree in Radiography from Ferris State University. While in Big Rapids and attending school, she worked at the local Burger Chef where she met a "townie" Mark Shepherd, whom she married and had three children. He sadly passed away in 1998. She remarried, continued to raise her children and worked at the Big Rapids hospital for over 35 years until her retirement in 2015.
She was a proud grandmother to eight grandchildren, Marcus, Alexis, Nolan, Freya, Atticus, Hazel, Miles, and Oliver. Her grandchildren and dog Maggie meant everything to her.
Throughout the years she enjoyed being outside in nature, including going to School Section Lake and camping, especially as a grandma. She also took great pride in tending to numerous plants and flowers in her yard. She was a fitness fanatic, spending many hours exercising and enjoying the company of friends she made at Planet Fitness. Another passion of hers was being an active member of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Big Rapids and fundraising, including Manna Pantry and the annual cookie walk.
She is survived by her three children, Jill (Jeremy) Crosby, Chris (Kara) Shepherd, and Ryan (Dana) Shepherd; husband Mike Worthington; siblings Peggy (Bill) Gauthier, Tim Wiedman, Mark Wiedman, and MarySue Bieski; sister-in-law Karen Shepherd; many nieces and nephews; and special friend Pat McNeil.
She was preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law LaVonne Shepherd, first husband, brothers Bill Wiedman and Chuck (Sue) Wiedman, brothers-in-law, Mike Shepherd and Jim Bieski, and niece LeighAnne Schrouder.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Big Rapids with Reverend Radha presiding. There will be a luncheon following and then graveside service at St. Michael's Cemetery in Remus. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 28th at Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids.
Memorial Contributions in her name may be made to: Manna Pantry of Big Rapids, 315 S State St. Big Rapids, MI 49307 and/or The Comfort Home, 204 North Patterson Road, Reed City, MI 49677