November
24, 2009MUNSTER - Janice F. Watson, age 61 of Munster, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 while engaged in one of her passions in life, being of service to senior citizens. Jan is survived by her loving husband of over 39 years, Steve, and sons, David and Dan, both of whom live in California. She will also be missed by her brothers, Tom (Carmel, IN.) and Larry (Indianapolis, IN.), sister-in-laws, Jo Dee, Karen, Betty and Marsha, brother-in-laws, Brent and Rick, nieces, Liz, Amy, Alexa, Stacee, Amanda, Jenny, Katie and Abby, nephews, Chandler, Ryan and Jay, and her other relatives, many friends, fellow teachers and students. Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Elaine Grau, of Mishawaka, Indiana. Jan was a Ball State University graduate, holding Batchelor Degrees in Education and English, a Masters Degree in English, as well as having completed a post-graduate endorsement in Special Education. She devoted herself to her students at Delta High School (Royerton, IN.), Storer Middle School (Muncie, IN.), Clark Middle School (Hammond), Munster High School and Gavit High School (Hammond). She also shared her many talents at the Hebrew Academy (Lansing, IL.), where she served in numerous capacities. Janice was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Munster and loved the time she spent with the Munster Association of Women and her many friends, neighbors and groups. Janice truly had a servant's heart, and tirelessly focused on the needs of others. She touched people's hearts with her selfless deeds, cooking, sympathetic ear, calligraphy, gardening, artistry, and many acts and words of kindness, while touching their sense of humor with her fun stories and legendary Christmas letters. She was everyone's best friend and helper. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 29, at Burns Kish Funeral Home, 8415 Calumet Avenue, Munster. A memorial service to celebrate Janice's life will also be held at 10 a.m., Monday, November 30, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 8601 Harrison Avenue, Munster. The family has requested that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial gifts in Janice Watson's memory to the "Janice Watson Special Education Fund" at any Citizens Financial Bank location.