Janet Marie Haskell

Janet M. Haskell, 93 of Midland, died Wednesday evening, August 20, 2025, at Midland King's Daughters Home. She was born August 24, 1931, to Walter and Vera Hahn in Sebewaing, the second child among two sisters, Marilyn and Kathryn; a brother Dennis was born later. She spent her early life in Sebewaing, graduating from Sebewaing High School in 1949. Janet married her high school sweetheart Robert 'Bob' Finkbeiner in 1951 while he attended Michigan State University. Their son Jeffrey was born in 1953. Upon Bob's graduation, the family relocated to Fayetteville NC, where he fulfilled his US Army ROTC obligation at Fort Bragg. In 1956, they moved to Auburn where Bob began his career with Dow Chemical in Midland and in Bay City. The couple had three additional children: Leslie (1956), Mark (1959), and Timothy (1965). While in Auburn, Janet was an active member of Auburn Methodist Church, where she was a member of the choir and several Women's groups.
In 1967, the family was fortunate to relocate to Hong Kong, a move she would come to treasure, making lifelong friends and creating memories to last a lifetime. The family returned to Midland in 1972. In 1978, Janet experienced the loss of her father and three months later, her husband Bob. She continued to live in Midland, maintaining her involvement with Auburn United Methodist Church.
Janet later met and married Rev. Donald Haskell in 1992. Never seeing herself as a "preacher's wife" Janet embraced her new life and was surrounded by many people who remain good friends. Donald passed away in 2008, and Janet remained in Midland, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren until her passing.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Kathryn) Finkbeiner of Cary, NC; daughter, Leslie (Douglas) Hiltunen of Midland; son, Timothy (Heather) Finkbeiner of Boise, Idaho; daughter in law, Karen Finkbeiner of Saratoga Springs, NY; grandchildren, Stephanie (Jonah) Bishop of Raleigh, NC, Julie (Eric) Bahamon of Holly Springs, NC, Douglas (Rachel) Hiltunen, Erin (Joe) Chebby, Allison (Eric) Kehrer, all of Midland, Neil (Kate) Finkbeiner of Ballston Lake, NY, James Finkbeiner of Boise, ID, Dr. Marie (Donovan Caufield) Finkbeiner of Iowa City, IA, Jennifer (Jacob) Davlin of Idaho Falls, ID; 14 great grandchildren; sister Kathryn Haist of Cleveland, TN; and brother Dennis (Nanette) Hahn of Grand Ledge. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, a son, Mark Finkbeiner, sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Walter Myers.
Funeral services for Janet will take place 11 a.m. Wednesday August 27, 2025, from First United Methodist Church 315 W. Larkin Street with interment to follow in Midland Cemetery. Janet's family will receive friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street, on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider First United Methodist Church or Midland King's Daughters Home.
All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Haskell family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one.