Janet R. Stopper

Aug. 17, 1938 - May 14, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Janet R. Stopper, 73, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 1:20 a.m. Monday at the Valley View Health Care Center, Elkhart, IN. Janet retired in 1990 as the Head Cook at John Adams High School after 17 years of service; then she worked for Associates for 5 years. She was born on August 17, 1938, in Warren Township, IN, to the late George and Wilma (Marble) Gamble, and had lived in this area most of her life. On April 12, 1959, in Niles, MI, she married Herman Stopper, who preceded her in death on October 17, 1992. Survivors include one daughter, Beverly (John) Logan of Lafayette, IN; two sons, Carl (Cheryl) Stopper of South Bend & Gary (Amy Rodriguez) Stopper of Elkhart; three grandchildren, J. Paul Logan, Kevin and Ashleigh Stopper; one sister, Julia Kuritz of South Bend; several nieces and nephews from Indiana, Louisiana and North Carolina; and a special friend, Raylena "Rainbow" Rodriguez. A sister, Ann Bean, and a brother, Tom Gamble, preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 18, 2012, at the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Janet was a member of the Red Hat Society and wore her hat with pride. She enjoyed her monthly dinners with her New Carlisle High School classmates, flowers, gardening, sewing and quilting. Janet was involved and thought highly of the St. Joseph County 4-H program and also was an avid NASCAR fan. Contributions in memory of Janet R. Stopper may be made to the South Bend YMCA, 1201 Northside Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615; or to the Arthritis Foundation, 8646 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Online condolence may be sent through www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.