Janice Sue Girardier nee Harper

OBITUARY

Janice Sue Girardier of University City, MO departed this life in Creve Coeur, MO on Sunday, March 1, 2026, having reached the age of seventy-eight years, nine months and twenty-four days. Janice was born in Camden, AR on May 5, 1947, growing up in Hope, AR, daughter of Delmer Floyd Harper, known to all as Joe, and Addie Harper nee McElroy. On July 3, 1970 she was united in marriage to Melvin Lloyd Girardier and two daughters came to bless this union.

Janice is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Leigh Girardier of Marina Del Ray, CA and Julie Ann Girardier of University City, MO; by her brothers-in-law, Bill Girardier of Fort Scott, KS and Bob Girardier of St. Clair, MO; by her lifelong friend, Cindy Payne and husband, Dennis, of Richland, MO; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Addie Harper; and by her husband, Melvin Girardier.

Janice was a Christian and member of St. John United Church of Christ in St. Clair, MO where she was very active in church functions, and helping in the church was one of the most important things in her life. She furthered her education by earning a Bachelors Degree in Education and English, as well minoring in Psychology, from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR. She began her teaching career at St. Clair’s Edgar Murray in 1969 until 2008 and then after a year of retirement, she started working part time doing speech implementation at the St. Clair Special Ed Cooperative for an additional seven years. Janice would often substitute teach as well, and continued doing that into her late sixties. She was a previous member of St. Clair Kiwanis, Delta Gamma Rho, part of EEE’s at Ouachita Baptist University and a board member of Greater Homes of St. Clair. She was a lifelong supporter of the Special Olympics and also volunteered at Emmaus Homes. Janice enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, going on road trips, was an avid reader and listened to country music, especially Blake Shelton. She was very active in social justice, as well as an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved attending musicals.

A kind and loving mother, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin and treasured friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. John United Church of Christ in St. Clair, MO with Pastor Laura Mignerone officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. Clair, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, St. Clair, MO. To make a donation, you can either do that here at the funeral home or through the church website. http://www.stjohnstclair.com/