Janet James

AVON, Ind. – Janet Marie James, 60, most recently of Avon, Ind., went to be with the Lord at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at the Avon Health and Rehabilitation Center in Avon, Ind.

She was born on Jan. 21, 1948, in Evanston, Ill. She was the middle daughter of the late Clifford H. James Jr. and Esther E. (McCoy) James. Both are deceased.

Jan grew up in Danville, Ill., where she graduated from Danville High School and Utterback-Brown Business College. She worked for the Danville Public Library and Illinois Bell, and 27 years for AT&T as a directory-assistance and long-distance operator.

Jan also lived in Champaign, Ill., Madison, Wis., Indianapolis, Ind., and Kansas City, Mo., while working for AT&T. She was forced to retire when she had a debilitating stroke in 1995.

After her stroke, Jan moved to Tampa, Fla., where she lived for 13 years in independent living at Lakeshore Inn and later at John Knox Village, where she was very active making others feel at home and overcoming their anxieties of leaving their homes for a retirement community. In August of 2008, Jan moved to Avon, Ind., to be closer to most of her family.

Janet is survived by her two sisters, Marge (Joe) Ellison of Tampa, Fla., Liz Todd and brother-in-law, Robert Todd, both of Avon, Ind.; and her uncle, Richard James of Lakeland, Tenn. She is also survived by her three nieces, (who were her life), Julie (Chad) Todd-Herzog of Covington, Ind., Kristie (Scott) Todd-Thompson, of Avon, Ind., and Shellie Todd of Avon, Ind.; her two great-nephews, Logan Herzog and Landon Herzog; her great-niece, Hailynn Herzog; and one great-niece or great-nephew, baby Thompson, due Dec. 30, 2008.

Jan was very determined and a real fighter. She struggled constantly for 13 years to live independently and fought valiantly to beat cancer for the last six years of her life. She enjoyed drawing, painting and spending time with family and friends. Jan was known by everyone for her helpfulness and great smile.

The family would especially like to thank the people at John Knox Village and Avon Health and Rehab for making her last few months as dignified and comfortable as possible.

A celebration of life for Janet M. James is scheduled for 10 am CDT on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, located at 3940 N. Vermilion St. in Danville, with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Pastor Joe Humrichous will officiate the service. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, at the funeral home.

Memorial condolences may be made in Jan's name to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, located at 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa Fl, 33612 and/or the American Stroke Association. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.