Obituary from the local paper

CHAMPAIGN – Janet Johnson Porter, 73, of Champaign passed peacefully from life on Friday (Sept. 4, 2009) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at First Presbyterian Church, 602 Green St., U. Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home, 201 N. Elm St., C, is assisting the Porter family.

Janet was born in Dike, Iowa, on May 9, 1936, a daughter of Robert and Agnes Johnson. She married Robert Porter on June 15, 1957, in Dike, Iowa. He survives.

Also surviving are four children, Scott Porter of Champaign, Seri Porter of Chicago, Todd Porter (Susan) of Lake Bluff and Susanne Schaars (Michael) of Eagle River, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Amanda, Nicholas, Emily, Sarah, Elizabeth, Kristin, Zachary, Carolyn and Kevin; and two brothers, Richard Johnson of DeWitt, Iowa, and Dale Johnson of Moro Bay, Calif.

Janet graduated from Grandview College in Des Moines, Iowa, and taught third-grade classes for several years. Most recently in Champaign, she was the creative spark for the Champaign Park District's Hays Center Seniors' program of mystery missions (on a bus), Dine and Dash excursions throughout central Illinois, and even a "field trip to California."

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Urbana. She strongly supported all of the interests of her children and grandchildren - especially where having fun was involved. She will be sadly missed by her large, extended family and many friends. Condolences and life-affirming expressions may be offered at www.janetjohnsonporter.com and www.heathandvaughn.com.

Memorials may be made to the Champaign Public Library Foundation to fill two shelves with children's books, one dedicated to "The Big Nasties" and another dedicated to "The Little Cuties."

Published in The News-Gazette on 9/10/2009