Janet Eileen Pool passed September 4, 2019 at the age of 63 years at Masonic Pathways Nursing Home in Alma, Michigan, after nearly eight years of illnesses.
Janet was born at Gratiot Community Hospital in Alma on December 7, 1955, to James Robert Whitman and Shirley Jean (Root) Whitman of Ithaca, Michigan. She married Brien Belanger October 18, 1980. He predeceased her January 2, 2000. Janet married Willard Pool on July 9, 2005. He predeceased her November 10, 2011.
Janet was an Alma High School graduate who earned an Associate of Arts in Medical Assisting Degree from Delta College in University Center, Michigan. She later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications-Writing Degree at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.
Janet worked at various medical billing positions and at the United Methodist Conference Center in Grand Rapids in the Conference Treasurer’s Office as an Accounts Payable Coordinator and later as a receptionist.
Janet was a loving sister, niece, aunt, and friend. These past eight years were an especially difficult time as she experienced many medical issues and crises. Janet greatly appreciated her caregivers and was a powerful influence in many of their lives as she shared her sense of humor, her values, and her beliefs.
Janet is survived by her younger sister, Mary Jo (Ronald) Vibbert of Alma, her nephew Jared(Carolina) Vibbert and their daughter Alexandria of Phoenix, Arizona; her brother-in-law, George Francis of Alma and nephew Sean Francis of Grand Rapids; her Aunt, Mary Alice Whitman of Saginaw; her three stepchildren: Benjamin Pool, Emily Pool and Holly Pool from Grand Rapids, Michigan; and cousins in Michigan, Arizona, and Washington.
Janet’s sister, Kathleen Jean Francis of Alma, predeceased her July 7, 2019. Janet was also preceded in death by her parents, Jim & Shirley, her grandparents Don & Catherine Root and Glenn & Jessie Whitman, all of Ithaca, Michigan.
Janet’s memorial Service and visitation will be on Thursday, October 10, at Doig Chapel in Masonic Pathways at 1200 Wright Avenue, Alma, Michigan. Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Service will immediately follow visitation.
Donations in lieu flowers may be made to one of the following:
- Michigan Area United Methodist Camping, Conference Center North, 1161 East Clark Road, DeWitt, MI 48820, Attention Treasury.
- Gratiot County Community Foundation, PO Box 248, Ithaca, MI 48847 (Notation: Kathy Francis Fund for the Fine Arts. Or online at gratiotfoundation.org)