Janet Harker, 66

Janet I. Harker, 66, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at the Borgess Medical Center emergency room in Kalamazoo.

She was born Aug. 28, 1943, in Kendallville, Ind., a daughter of the late Dorsey and Lillian (Ackerman) Blanton.

She was married to Sheridan (Ed) Harker for 19 years.

Janet came to Sturgis in 1961 from Kendallville. She moved to Burr Oak in 1968, to White Pigeon in 1980, to Traverse City in 1983, back to White Pigeon in 1986, and returned to Sturgis in 1998.

She was employed by Trans-o-gram after graduating from Kendallville High School and then sewed furniture covers at Paramount Furniture Company for 20 years. While in Traverse City, she worked at Monty-go-Bay, a children’s clothing store and was co-owner of a campground.

Janet was very active in the Sturgis Church of Christ and enjoyed crafts, painting, travel, calling Bingo on at Thurston Woods on Mondays and spending time with her grandchildren.

Surviving are two sons, Douglas (Angela) Harker of Sturgis and Chris Allan Harker of Sturgis; two grandchildren, Zachary and Trent; and a brother, Larry (Sharon) Blanton of Kendallville.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Edward Dorsey Harker.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Oak Lawn Cemetery.

A time for sharing fellowship and food will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Sturgis Church of Christ, 900 N. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis. A memorial service celebrating the life of Janet I. Harker will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. George Cleverley officiating.

Memorial donations may be directed to Thurston Woods Village or Sturgis Church of Christ. Envelopes are available at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, which is in charge of the arrangements.

Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.