Janet S. McLelland

Janet S. McLelland, 81, of St. Joseph passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11:00 A.M., on Monday, June 23, 2014 at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Dr. Robert Braman officiating. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.  Memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church, Hospice at Home or the Readiness Center. Those wishing to share a memory of Janet online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services. Janet was born March 2, 1933 in Flint, Michigan to Stanley & Margerie (McGunegle) Sharpe. She married John Tosh McLelland on January 2, 1954. Janet was an avid gardener, community and social activist, devoted friend, loving wife and mother, and proud grandmother, who imparted her wisdom of “Holding tight to God’s hand and keeping a sense of humor.” One of her proudest accomplishments was starting “Plant it Forward” in 2000. Three local garden clubs contributed plants to residents of Benton Harbor. The program won two state awards. Ten years later those same families are still gardening and sharing their plants and knowledge with neighbors and local youth. In 2011 1,500 plants were given away and the program is still going strong. Janet was a tireless volunteer. She especially loved tutoring children at Calvin Britain School and the Samaritan Center. After her daughter’s death, she devoted energy to suicide prevention, and was always available to talk with a troubled teen or parent. Janet frequently submitted letters to the editor of the Herald Palladium. She was earnest in her belief that everyone has a duty to be an engaged citizen and community member. Janet will be remembered for her positive energy, her strong faith, wonderful sense of humor, commitment to causes she believed in, and as a wonderful friend, mother and grandmother. Janet is survived by sons, John (Sue) McLelland, Jr. of Grand Rapids, MI and Chad (Rosann) McLelland of Cincinnati, OH; two daughters, Marnie (John) Kotwick of Grand Rapids, MI and Nan (Jim) Wilberding of Troy, MI; and 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carla, in 1977; husband John, in 2011; brother, George Sharpe; and sister, Lorelei Botham.