Janell Marie Coates
Obituary
NEWTON — Janell Marie Coates, 58, passed away on Dec. 9,
2011, surrounded by family at Harry Hines Memorial Hospice at St. Francis in
Wichita.
Janell was born on June 15, 1953, in Jefferson City, Mo., to
John “Jake” Clyde Girard and Genevieve Jean Russell. Her father preceded her in
death.
Janell graduated from Topeka High School in 1971; afterward,
she explored life and all that it had to offer. She was spontaneous,
adventurous and could never turn down fun with friends.
Janell was a hard worker — the single mother of two
children, she worked an assortment of jobs during the years and was very well
rounded. Janell leaves behind a legacy of love of fellow man and devotion to
Christ.
A member of First Baptist Church of Newton, she lived as
righteously as possible. She always managed to give her everything to anyone
who needed it, stranger or not. Janell was very family oriented and spent most
of her free time investigating and researching her genealogy.
We do not mourn her untimely death; we celebrate her
interesting life. Her job on Earth was complete, because somewhere along the
way she managed to make us smile and touch our hearts.
She is survived by her mother, Genevieve Holderman of
Tucson, Ariz.; one brother, Paul Crabtree of Tucson; stepmother, Lu Girard of
California, Mo.; sister, Sherry Koetting of Jefferson City, Mo.; sister, Cindy
Martin of Jefferson City; son, Aaron Murray and children, Alexandra and Justice
of Newton; daughter, Heather Miles and children, Paige, Jameson and Sydney of
Peabody; and a host of countless extended relatives and dear friends who will
all miss her greatly.
A memorial was on Dec. 11, 2011, at First Baptist Church,
with the Rev. Terry Tareila officiating.
