Janet Ruth Heller passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025. She was born on July 8, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Janet is the past president of the Michigan College English Association and a past president of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature. She has a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. She has taught literature, creative writing, women's studies, linguistics, and composition at eight colleges and universities: Michigan State University, Northern Illinois University, Nazareth College, Western Michigan University, Albion College, Grand Valley State University, Olivet College, and the University of Chicago.
She is a founding mother of the Rape Crisis Center in Madison, Wisconsin. She also cofounded the Professional Instructors Organization union at Western Michigan University. She served on the women's advisory board for the public television station WGVU in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is a past president of the Ladies' Library Association in Kalamazoo, a charitable nonprofit organization devoted to literacy, education, the arts, and culture.
Heller was active in the Jewish community throughout her life. At Temple B'nai Israel in Kalamazoo, she served on the environmental Green Team, the Chevra Kadisha to assist with Jewish rites for the deceased, and a committee to write a new ethical code for TBI. At the Congregation of Moses in Kalamazoo, she served as a teacher and the assistant principal of the Religious School, a Board member, President of Sisterhood twice, Chair of the Adult Education, Library, Kitchen, and Visitation Committees, and member of the Religious Activities Committee. She also chanted Torah and haftarah portions and helped to lead Sabbath and holiday services.
She has published four books of poetry: Nature's Olympics (Wipf and Stock, 2021), Exodus (WordTech Editions, 2014), Folk Concert: Changing Times (Anaphora Literary Press, 2012), and Traffic Stop (Finishing Line Press, 2011). She is a founding mother and former editor of Primavera, an award-winning literary magazine. The University of Missouri Press published her scholarly book, Coleridge, Lamb, Hazlitt, and the Reader of Drama (1990). Her essay "A Visit to Isle Royale" was aired over Michigan Public Radio (1999) and published in the Toho Journal (2021). Her creative nonfiction "Returning to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin" appeared in Midwestern Miscellany (2008). Her play The Cell Phone won fourth place in a national contest and was performed at the Fenton Village Players One-Act Play Festival in Fenton, Michigan (2011). Her play Pledging was performed at Triton College in Illinois as part of the Tritonysia Play Festival in 2017. Choeofpleirn Press published Pledging in its anthology Rushing Through the Dark (2022).
Heller's fiction picture book about bullying, How the Moon Regained Her Shape (Arbordale, 2006; 7th edn. 2022), has received many awards, including a Book Sense Pick (2006), a Children's Choices selection (2007), a Benjamin Franklin Award (2007), and a Gold Medal in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards (2007). She has also published The Passover Surprise (Fictive Press, 2015, 2016), a middle-grade fiction chapter book for children. Her website is https://www.janetruthheller.com
Janet was a loving wife, sister, aunt and great aunt. She is survived by her husband, Michael Krischer; siblings, Will Heller (Nancy Lee), Paul Heller (Diane), Nancy Joan Heller (Roger Lob) and Pegi Christiansen (Dale).
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Joan Heller.
Services will be held Monday, October 20, 2025, at 11:00am at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
A memorial service will be announced in the weeks ahead and be held at Temple B'Nai Israel, 4409 Grand Prairie Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.
Contributions in Janet's memory may be made to Oberlin College (Office of Advancement, PO Box 72110, Cleveland, Ohio 44192) or Temple B'Nai Israel (4409 Grand Prairie Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006).
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kalamazoo Gazette from Oct. 13 to Oct. 14, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Janet Heller

Sponsored by The Family.

8 Entries

Tamar Cohn

October 16, 2025

What a full and focused life she had. My condolences to her family and friends, both current and those from her Shorewood High School days.

Betty Hirschfield

October 15, 2025

Hanging out with Janet: 1. One spring day at the L.L.A., Janet had me as her guest. She gave me the Grand Tour of the facility--to the best of her ability. She was an experienced tour guide. It was the first time for me to see the inside. 2. In addition to my being a Ladies' Library guest, one year I joined Janet at the New Year's Fest. I stayed out late with my New Year's "date." The next day we had to rest. 3. She hosted an important meeting when the planned host lost her electrical power. This occurred "at the eleventh hour." Janet was quick to pitch in in a pinch. She made hostessing seem like a cinch. She invited her attendees in, so the meeting could begin. 4. The weekly worship service was on Veterans Day one year. She prepared a special service, and led a Veterans Day prayer (especially for ex-armed force-men of USA). I wore my red, white, and blue, as I am inclined to do on a particularly patriotic day. I was pleased to participate in the program too.

Dr. Shanda Blue Easterday

Planted Trees

Betty Hirschfield

October 14, 2025

Image of an outdoor outing: One day when where was no rain or snow, Janet and I, and Joe went walking in our usual row--our row of three (she was flanked by Joe and me). It was a time to enjoy. We were passing the house of Troy--and his spouse Michelle (her name has a double "L") and their daughter Julia as well. We all wished each other well. At times we walked with Michael too; we were a fortunate few. Sometimes for Michael, his "mode" was his bi-CYCLE. We might pass each other on the street. We would greet when we would meet.

When an e-mail Janet would send, she would often write, "Best Wishes!" toward the end. Janet was more than just friendly-ISH. We did not have to WISH. She WAS our friend.

Arnold Johnston & Deborah Ann Percy (Johnston)

October 14, 2025

Debby and I were shocked and saddened by Janet´s death. I was fortunate to have hired her to teach in the English Department at WMU when I was chair. Her dedication to her students was impressive, as was her teaching. Over the years we became friends and writing colleagues. Debby and I admired her dedication and accomplishment as poet, prose writer, children´s author, and playwright , as well as her passionate work for the Ladies Library and Michigan College English Associations. We will miss her, and our hearts go out to Michael and her family and friends.

Geoffrey Axt

October 13, 2025

Janet was, in all ways, a delightful person. Her exceptional intellect was exceeded only by her warm heart. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Galyn Barnum

October 13, 2025

Janet was a friend of mine from The Ladies Library. She was a brilliant women who shared many of her talents. I was delighted to gift my grandchildren her book about anti bullying. Her written word will live on for a long time. Rest well my friend. You will be missed.

Diana Hart

October 13, 2025

Janet invited me, eighteen months ago, to join her monthly Zoom writers´ workshop. Through this ongoing association with her and other contributors I acquired valuable new perspectives on my work and the work of others. She always gave generously of her time and of herself. I admired her dedication to her own work and her passionate beliefs. I will miss her.

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