Janet Elaine Gwilt, 84

Born: Dec. 24, 1928

Died: Jan. 22, 2013

Janet’s life began Christmas eve, 1928, the daughter of Herbert and Mildred M. (Nash) Fox.

She is a 1946 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School.

Janet was united in marriage to Gordon Gwilt on Oct. 5, 1951, at First United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo.

She and Gordy owned and operated Gwilt’s Paint Store in Dowagiac for many years.

Janet was a sister of Alpha Epsilon Master-Chapter Beta Sigma Phi in Dowagiac. She was a member of First Christian Church, Cass County Civitan Club, the 728 Club and she held a “Master’s in Motherhood” for beautifully raising nine children with Gordy.

Her loving family includes: her husband of 61 years, Gordon Gwilt of Dowagiac; children, Sally (Terry) Matthews of Dowagiac, Ed (Juanita) Gwilt of Grosse Pointe Park, Julie (Larry) Hewitt of Dowagiac, Peggy (Bruce) Willis of Dowagiac, Mimi (Cort) Otterbein of Birmingham, Nancy (Rob) Northrop of Dowagiac, Tom (Sue) Gwilt of Dowagiac, Tony (Jennifer) Gwilt of Troy and Joe Gwilt of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Lisa (Gregg) Matthews-Speaks, Ron (Heidi Behnke) Matthews, Phillip and Patrick Nauert, Laura, Katie and Clay Hewitt, Rebecca Willis, Bruce Willis Jr., Rachael (John) Willis-Fountain, Ashley Willis, Kyle, Kelsey and Keith Otterbein, Jeromy Northrop and Claire, Meghan and Gordy Gwilt; great-grandchildren, Drew and Anna Speaks; and a brother, Thomas (Michiko) Fox of Bonita Springs, Fla.

Janet passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She is preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Anthony Willis, in 1980.

Her family will gather with friends on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, where her sorority sisters will pay tribute to her at 7 p.m.

Her funeral service will be at First Christian Church in Dowagiac at 11 a.m. on Saturday.  She will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in Janet’s name may be directed to the First Christian Church.  Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Janet at www.yazel-clark.com.