Janice Marie Stoner, age 92, of Hayward, WI following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on July 20, 2024 at the Waters of Highland Park, St. Paul, MN. We rejoice with family and friends in the reunion of Jan and her husband Cliff in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.

Janice was born March 18, 1932, in Muscatine, Iowa, the daughter of William and Vada Fishburn. She was raised in Elgin, IL along with her brother Bill and sister Merry. Following her graduation from Elgin High School she attended Beloit College and then transferred to the University of Arizona where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

While attending UA she met her future husband Clifford on a blind date. Not one to waste time, she and Cliff were married six months later and celebrated 65 years of marriage together. Following her graduation and Cliff’s discharge from the Air Force the couple moved to Bloomington, Indiana while Cliff completed his law degree. Living in a trailer they transported from Arizona, Janice began her teaching career at an elementary school servicing the “stone cutter community.” While in Bloomington Jan and Cliff began their family with the births of the first two of their five children.

In 1960, Jan and Cliff moved to Rockford, IL where they would live and raise a family for the next 38 years. While in Rockford Janice was employed by the Rockford School District, she took a break from teaching when her third, fourth and fifth children were born, and returned to teaching once her youngest children were in Middle School. After teaching in Elementary classrooms Jan earned a master’s degree and Reading Specialist Certificate. She retired as a remedial reading specialist servicing the needs of students at Lincoln Junior High School.

Janice was a loving and dedicated wife and mother. Rarely did she have a conversation with a friend, relative or stranger where she did not take time to brag about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jan loved to socialize with friends and neighbors and the Stoner house was always full of laughter and joy. A glass of white wine was generally present in the afternoon with a few cubes of ice and always some ice cream after dinner.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren on the deck in Rockford, at Lake Geneva or Round Lake, sitting in the sun, boating (she loved to go fast), or just being present at the dinner table hearing stories of her families’ lives and adventures. Family was the center of Jan’s life and she and Cliff prioritized attending birthdays, graduations, weddings and other special events over everything else. Her last years were blessed by the almost daily presence of her daughter Cathy and regular visits by her other children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jan died knowing she was truly loved.

Janice is survived by her five children: Bill (Nancy) of La Canada, CA, Mike (Jill) of Oswego, IL, Jeff (Amy) of St. Paul, MN, Chip (Gen) of Rockford, IL; Cathy (David Burke) of St. Paul, MN, fourteen grandchildren: Matt, Kevin, Brad, Holly (Bill); Mike, Sam (Mike); Corriell, Liza, Christopher (Jeff); Zach, Gabby, Luke (Chip); Whitney, Connor (Cathy); nine great-grandchildren: Hudson, Davis, Georgia (Matt); Jameson, Hendricks, Selah (Mike); Elijah (Sam); Mason, Jackson (Zach); Parker (Kevin); and several nieces and nephews.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the service on Saturday, November 16, 2024 for Jan, has been postponed. Updated service information will be posted as soon as available.

An additional gathering of family and friends will be planned for the summer of 2025. Gifts in honor of Jan may be given to the Boys & Girls Club of Rockford or Hayward United Methodist Church.

Last Update: Nov 04, 2024 4:28 pm CST