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Janet Elaine Thorpe Hepler. Janet passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday morning, March 14, 2013. She was a native of Battle Creek and was a lifetime resident of the Battle Creek area. Janet was first married to Ralph Moore and together they had two sons. She later married Gerald Hepler. Janet retired from Sears & Co. in 2008 after more than 20 years of faithful service. A genuine example of Christianity, Janet loved her church, helping others in need and spreading God's word. She was a member of the Gracespring Bible Church in Richland where she was truly dedicated to the Greeter Ministry. Janet loved spending time with her family, gardening, all types of flowers and her dogs. Survivors included her mother, Betty Thorpe; sons Gregory (Becky) Moore and Todd (Cyndie) Moore; three grandchildren, Sara, Bryan and Kyle Moore; two brothers, Dennis and Thomas Thorpe; several nieces and nephews; and her ex-hubands Ralph Moore and Gerald Hepler (who died in 2015). She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Thorpe. [Note: Janet’s obituary states that “…she graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1965.” She is included in our junior class in the 1964 Paean and is listed as a senior in the 1964/65 Student Directory. However, she is not in the 1965 Paean and is not in the list of graduates in the commencement brochure. So it is unclear exactly when she graduated.]
Information from Battle Creek Enquirer online [Battle Creek, Michigan] on March 17, 2013;
Calhoun Co., MI. Register of Deed’s office; and website http://lhs65.net/memorials/
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Juanita Cox (Howes)
I always though Janet was special and now I see by this tribute she really was. Pray her family is at peace knowing she is with her LORD & SAVIOR.
David Canfield
JANET THORPE LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME AND WAS MY SISTER'S BEST FRIEND. SHE WAS TAKEN ILL HER SENIOR YEAR AND LEFT SCHOOL ABOUT CHRISTMAS BREAK. MS. COWEN (SENIOR COUNSELOR) HELP HER GET HER DIPLOMA IN THE SUMMER OF 1965.
Juanita Cox (Howes)
I had always thought of Janet as a very sweet person and thought highly of her. Thanks for sharing David. Had you sister kept in contact with Janet over the years?
Judy Ann "Judyann" Grace (Hewkin)
I honestly do not remember Janet. But I am sorry to learn of her death. I am sending prayer s and thoughts to her family. I was surprised that she went to lt our Grace Spring Church in Richland. My husbandCommunity Church.
Linda Beers (Aydlott)
I was surprised to find this memorium for Janet. I basically grew up with her in Urbandale. I lived around the corner from her on Taylor Street, and her back yard butted up with mine. We often talked over the fence untill supper time.
One thing about Janet is she grew up fast and had little time to play in those days. She was responsible for her brothers and was basically a mom to them. Her parents were working full time leaving Janet in charge of the household duties of cleaning, fixing dinner and minding her brothers.
We would walk to Urbandale Elementary together and in those walks we would discuss many things that were currently happening.. She was much older than her age, probably because of her responsibilities at home. She taught me a lot in those walks and I have always admired her for that.
There were a couple of summer vacations that we spent together having a great creative time producing neighborhood shows. We planned our production, made props, acquired the background music, and advertised our events. How did we do that? We decorated up our bikes with bright crepe paper and rode around to the houses and sold tickets that we made ourselves on a toy printing press. There were a couple other kids involved and we all had a lot of fun. The money we made from ticket sales went into a cast party afterwards. What a great way to spend summer vacation... and Janet was part of that.
. As we grew up and made it to high school, our relationship grew more distant. I was pretty much 24-7 art and seldom saw her in the neighborhood, or in school. She had to leave in the 12th grade to start a family of her own, she was not ill. She was radiantly pregnant and full of life. Her loving spirit made a great mom. The atmosphere in those days frowned on pregnancy out of wedlock, making it shameful. Janet felt that shame rendered by others, at a time when she needed to be loved more than ever. She obviously made it through that time and blossomed into a stellar example of humanity.. It is my hope, that those who knew Janet, and the incredble example of love and integrity that she displayed throughout her life will realize what is important to take with us to the other side.
I am blessed to have known her and be a part of her early life here on Earth.