Janice Gibbs

Janice Claire Gibbs, 81, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, of Charlevoix, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.  She was born on November 11, 1940, in Berwyn, IL, the daughter of Louis and Clara (Koubek) Johnson.

Jan graduated from Lyons Township High School in La Grange, IL, and went on to attend Purdue University. While on summer vacation at White Lake, WI. she met the love of her life, Harold Gibbs, and they married on July 7, 1960, in La Grange Park, IL.   While Charlevoix was always home for Jan and Harry and their young family, she enjoyed the many assignments Harry had during his time in the Air Force allowing them to live in Mississippi, Texas, and Alaska before finally setting in Charlevoix in 1981.

Jan had an infectious passion for life.  She especially enjoyed creating memories with her family that will be cherished forever. Graciously, one her final memories was hosting a family reunion where she was able to enjoy chasing fireflies with grandkids, a bonfire on the dunes, swimming at the beach, and hours of card games. Jan was always busy. Over the years, her hobbies included baking her famous yummy desserts for her loved ones, gardening, painting, photography, travel, golf, crafting many special items for her grandchildren, and volunteering in her community.  She enjoyed activities such as mahjong, cribbage, bridge, volleyball, bowling, and cross-country skiing.   She was a devoted member of the Charlevoix United Methodist Church.  Together, with her church family she sang in the choir, and enjoyed countless volunteer events, including many years of mission work in Kentucky.  One of her favorite quotes: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, as long as ever you can.” John Wesley

Jan is survived by her loving husband of 62 years Harold Gibbs; three children, Laurie (Sam) Schneider of Fairbanks, AK, Shari Andrus (Doug) of Chesterland, OH, and Jim (Laura) Gibbs of Charlotte, NC.  Jan was blessed with six grandchildren: Jennafer, Sam, Allie, Drew, Austin, and Ashton, and six great-grandchildren: Lena, Jack, Kaylob, Rylie, Chloe, and Ryann.

She was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Clara, and her sister Madelon Johnson.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 15, at The United Methodist DrawBridge LIFE Church in Charlevoix.

In lieu of flowers, Jan would be honored with memorial contributions made in her name to the charity of your choice or continue her passion for volunteer work in your community.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com