March 6, 1923 – Sept. 27, 2018

Janet H. Pendergrass, 95, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at Cass County Medical Facility in Cassopolis.

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 306 Courtland St., Dowagiac. Following the service, there will be a Celebration of Life gathering at the Parish next to the church. Memorial contributions in Janet’s name may be made to the Michigan Nature Association, Sarett Nature Center or St Paul’s Episcopal Church. Those wishing to sign the guest book online may do so at clarkch.com.

Janet was born on March 6, 1923, to Leo and Gladys (Beatley) Hall in Hinsdale, Illinois. She graduated from Kalamazoo High School in 1941 at the top of her class. Janet went on to Kalamazoo College earning her B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Chemistry, 1945, and M.S. in Chemistry, 1946. On Nov. 28, 1946, she married the late John Pendergrass in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Janet worked as a teacher for many years at Southwestern Michigan College and worked for Mennel Milling Company in Dowagiac for more than 10 years as a chemist before retirement. She served on the Lewis Cass Intermediate School Board for several years. In her spare time, she loved running, she was part of the Ron Gunn’s Running Club and participated in many local 10K races. Some of her most treasured memories were the times she spent with her family in Onekama, Michigan. Most of all she loved her family and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Janet is survived by her children James “Jim” (Carmine) Pendergrass, Roderic “Rod” (Lisa) Pendergrass and Jacqueline “Jackie” (Kirt) Carter; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Gladys Hall; husband John Pendergrass and her siblings Barbara Johnson and Rod Hall.