Janie VanLue Gilbert, 79
March 15, 1932 — Nov. 3, 2011
Niles Daily Star, Published online 8:30pm Sunday, November 6, 2011
Janie VanLue Gilbert, 79, of Barron Lake Road in Niles, died at 12:13 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, at her home of an extended illness.
Mrs. Gilbert was born March 15, 1932 in Buchanan to Clarence “Spot” and Cora A. (Ruth) Dempsey. She graduated from Niles High School, earned her associate’s degree from Southwestern Michigan College, bachelor’s degree from Andrews University and master’s degree from Michigan State University. She was a very active first grade teacher at Oak Manor in Niles Community Schools, retiring after 17 years of service. She was a lifetime area resident.
Janie was baptized in the Church of Christ in Buchanan and later became a member of Pokagon United Methodist Church of Christ in Niles, where she was active as a Sunday school teacher as well as with the United Methodist Women and Ladies Aid. She was a longtime member of TOPS. She enjoyed helping with both the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Janie was first married on June 25, 1949 to K. Jim VanLue, who preceded her in death on Nov. 18, 1968. She later married William E. Gilbert in Niles on June 14, 1986. He preceded her in death on July 16, 2009.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Kenneth James VanLue, Jr., who died Jan. 8, 2000; grandsons, Sam Reagan and Orion Gilbert; her father, Clarence Dempsey; mother, Cory Myers; stepfather, Arnie Myers; and brother, Carl Myers.
Mrs. Gilbert is survived by her children, Linda “Champ” (Steve) Kujawa of Edwardsburg, Marri (John) Bagwell of Buchanan, Daniel (Pam) VanLue of Niles; stepchildren, Nancy (Dale) Chadderdon of Tecumseh, Mich., Linda (Dan) Gustafson of St. Joseph and Larry Gilbert of Niles; grandchildren, Cody Kujawa, Julie Williams, Melissa Cook, Laurie Barnes, Angela Rockey, James VanLue, Tiffany Lewis, Rob Lewis, Brennden Keen, Jessica Hooks, Mary Kay Brown, Andrew Gustafson, Reanna Lennox; brothers, Robert (Diane) Myers of Granger, Ind. and Jim (Nancy) Myers of Niles; sister-in-law, Sandy Myers of Edwardsburg.
The services for Janie VanLue Gilbert will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Pokagon United Methodist Church in Niles with the Rev. Sean Kidd of the church officiating, assisted by Pastor Patricia Haas of Keswick United Methodist Church, Sutton’s Bay, Mich.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Janie may be made to Pokagon United Methodist Church or The Old Rugged Cross Foundation.