Janet Hampton

Janet L. Hampton, 89, of St. Joseph, peacefully went to rest in the arms of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at Woodland Terrace of Bridgman. Friends may visit on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 from 5 to 8 pm, with the Holy Rosary at 7:30 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at 11:00 AM, at St. Bernards Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware Ave, Benton Harbor, with Father Michael Rejent officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma, Michigan.  Memorial contributions for Janet may be made to the St. John’s Readiness Center in Benton Harbor (readinesscenterinc.org) or to the Berrien Community Foundation (berriencommunity.org). Those wishing to leave a personal condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Janet was born on October 2, 1928, to Raymond & Leonora (Hunter) Jeffirs in Lansing, MI. She attended high school at St. Mary’s Academy in South Bend, Indiana.  On June 23, 1951, she married Ike Hampton in Watervliet, Michigan.  Janet was well known for her flair in decorating.  She was also quite skilled in sewing, gourmet cooking and was an avid entertainer.  Janet enjoyed volunteering her time at Birthright of St. Joseph, Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Civic Benefit, the Heritage Center and the Readiness Center.  Through the years, she also actively volunteered at many of her children’s school activities and served on the funeral luncheon committee serving her renowned funeral potatoes.  Janet enjoyed playing on the Women’s Golf League at Berrien Hills Country Club for many years and had a dream come true on her 80th birthday when she served as the ‘Duckmaster’ for the Marching of the Ducks at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Janet is survived by her sons Jeffery (Vera) Hampton of Royal Oak, MI and Jerry (Pam) Hampton of Long Grove, IL; daughters Julie (Dr. Alan) Smiy of St. Joseph and Joyce (Frank) Kirschner of Avon, CO; grandchildren Crystal and Brandon Hampton; Katie (Lei) Tong, Becky and Scott Hampton; Stephanie (Adam) Miller, Michael, Christopher and Natalie Smiy; and James, Jacob and Jodie Kirschner; dear nephew Dick (Linda) Wiley of Atlanta, Georgia; dear cousin Sharon Wheeler of St. Joseph, Michigan and sister Joyce Schmidt of Buffalo, New York. Janet was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ike; and infant son James.