"I am so sorry. Janet was a wonderful person and close family friend growing up, with a laugh that reminded me of her mom's. I sat right behind Janet and my brother Dan on the same school bus Dan mentions and remember many a rousing card game between Cosgrove and home with Janet and whomever else we could rope into a game. My sympathy to all of Janet's family. Although I haven't seen Janet for years, it sounds as though she lived her life like I remember her."
In loving memory of
Janet Jean Whaley
December 28, 1950 - July 22, 2016
Janet Jean (Bryant) Whaley, 65, of Stanwood, passed away after a short battle with cancer, Friday, July 22, 2016 at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Visitation will be held Monday, July 25, 4-7:00 pm, Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 26 at 10:00 am also at Fry's. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford. A memorial fund has been in established in Janet's honor. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.
Janet was born December 28, 1950 in Iowa City, Iowa, to Jean and Eileen (Shebetka) Bryant. After High School, Janet graduated with her Bachelors from U.N.I. and would finish her education with her Masters Degree from NWMS. For 10 years, Janet taught high school math in Missouri and finished her teaching career at Tipton High School where she taught for 27 years and was also on Board and Directed many plays for the Cedar County Stoplight Players. Janet also served as the President of the Stanwood Ambulance Board.
Janet was united in marriage to the late Victor L. Whaley on June 14, 1986 in Iowa City, Iowa and was later blessed with 2 children: Donna and Jesse. She was also a foster and adoptive parent to other children.
Janet had a passion for living life, enjoying things like camping and bonfires, theater and traveling, visiting friends and supporting her family at events they participated in. Above all, family was the most important. Janet's motto she lived by, comes from Peace Frog; (she was known for sporting tie-dyed frogs on her car) "Be Good, Be Kind, Have Fun." Inspiring and impacting the lives of numerous people, Janet will be dearly missed by all.
Surviving Janet are her children, Donna Whaley of Stanwood and Jesse (Miyong) Whaley of South Korea; sisters, JoAnne (Dan) Downes, Oxford and Janelle (Dave) Campbell, Oxford; brothers, Keith Bryant, Oxford, Jim (Cathlene) Bryant, Parnell, Randy (Sandy) Bryant, Oxford; sister-in-law, Debbie Bryant; seven grandchildren, Kaylee, Riley, Maria, Alison, Kevin, Dallas and Esther; god-son, Quintin Bryant and 17 other nieces and nephews. Preceding Janet were her parents, husband and brother, Richard.
Tributes
"Our family wanted to express their condolences in this your time of sorrow. We found this verse encouraging during our time of loss. "Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 Jesus referred to himself to as "the resurrection and the life" at John 11:25. You are in our thoughts as well. JR"
"Janelle and Family: We are so sorry for your loss. Janet sounds like she was a very ambitious and giving individual. She will be sorely missed by all who were inspired by her. May she rest in peace. Prayers and thoughts sent to all of you. Jan and Jim Barnes"
"A close and dear friend that I first met while teaching but who became so much more. A small piece of my heart will always be missing now that she is gone. My love to her family-always the most precious thing to her. "
"Janet could spin a story that left you in stitches of laughter. So smart and so friendly. I was always drawn to her like a magnet, wanting to hear the next outrageous thing she would think of next. She will be missed by many."
"Our heartfelt sympathies to all of Janet's family and friends. Many wonderful memories with Janet and her family. Janet's beautiful smile and lovely voice will remain with all who had the honor of sharing life with her. "
"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Janet (aka Miss Bryant) was a great teacher and a wonderful person. She will be greatly missed. So sorry for your loss. . .. . . "
"My deepest sympathy goes out to her family. She was a wonderful person. Her family farm was a half mile from ours, and growing up, we would have lots of get-togethers with her family. She was one of my first friends. We would share a school bus seat for many years. She had a way of making the bus trips seem short. I was fortunate to know her. "
"To the Bryant family I know Janet will be greatly missed by many people. I didn't know her as well as some of the other children but she always seemed to love life. All of you have our sympathy and prayers. Tom and Becky Louvar"
"My sincere condolences to Janet's family and many friends. Janet touched and enriched the lives of all who knew her. We have lost a truly good person too soon."
"I worked with Janet when she first arrived at Tipton. She was always a source of inspiration, guidance, and fun. She was a great friend and teacher. Peace and comfort to her and her family. "
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My deepest sympathy to all of Janet's family . "
"Janet was a dear friend for many years. She entered my life as my math teacher in Tipton, but became a life long friend. We visited nearly every time I came back to Tipton and shared lots of stories and laughs! She was a wonderful person who will be missed by all that knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. "
"It was my good fortune to know and have the opportunity to work with Janet. A great sense of humor and a heart as big as she was. RIP Janet and thanks for all the good you did in behalf of so many."
"Janet had a wonderful sense of humor and was kind to all. I was glad to have her as a friend."
"Her family and many super friends have my prayers and sympathy. She was a great teacher of math and helped so many struggling students. I got to know her because my daughter had her for math, and as a cheer leading coach. I was privileged and honored to go with her and the cheerleaders to the state wresting meet one year. She was wonderful to me and the girls. She always acknowledged those she knew no matter where she was, and I don't believe she was a stranger to anyone. She welcomed everyone. "One of God's special people here on earth" Her smile and friendship will be missed by so many. "
"Thoughts and prayers to the family. Mrs. Whaley was an awesome teacher. She will be greatly missed."
"A fine person with a wonderful sense of humor. Janet will be missed by many."
"A fine person with a wonderful sense of humor. Janet will be missed by many."
"Janet was my first friend when I came to Tipton as a young teacher - she made a point to welcome me. Since then, I have worked with Janet at school but also as members of the CC Stoplight Players. I can't even count the things I learned from her and the way she made my life fuller and brighter. I have never known another person that lived life with the joy and sense of adventure that Janet did - both of which she shared with anyone she knew. So many of my favorites stories have Janet in them - so many of my fondest memories include her. The world is definitely a bit less bright with her gone. We have to remember how lucky we were to share her spotlight."
"Our family was neighbors to Janet & Victor in Stanwood. I still have some wooden Christmas ornaments he made for us & I have fond memories of several visits with Janet after he was gone. She gave much of herself & enlightened the lives of many through teaching & community service. She will be greatly missed!"
"Mrs. Whaley was a great teacher who really cared for all her students. RIP. Thoughts and prayers to her family. "
"Get person always around to put a smile on your face and to tell you how it was. "
"Janet was an amazing teacher. She will be remembered fondly. "