Janice Marie Kitley, age 81, of Munith, MI, passed away peacefully at her home in Waterloo Twp. on February 18, 2024 surrounded by her family. Born on May 3, 1942, in Alma, MI, Jan was the daughter of Homer and Ruth (Gottschalk) Hale.
On April 15, 1961, Jan married the love of her life, George L. Kitley, spending nearly six decades cycling between laughter and exasperation. Together they raised four children, Karla, Cheryl, Ken, and Cindy. Jan was particularly proud of her grandchildren for whom she crafted baby blankets, provided many meals, taught piano, covered snow day childcare, waited on buses, took forgotten items to school, and sent groceries from her home (fondly known as Meijer South). Family was the center of Jan’s life. She was happiest when her family was together and well (over)-fed.
Jan's love for music and unwavering faith found a home at Munith United Methodist Church, where she served as the organist, pianist and choir director for almost 50 years. Jan loved tending to her many chickens and enjoyed her three cats, Callie, Cece, and Beanie. Jan was an avid reader, never failing to read at least three books while on annual vacations with her family. She was known to always have snacks, at least three chapsticks, a bundle of pens, and another five pounds of miscellaneous items in her Mary Poppins purse.
After raising their four children to school age, Jan worked for Stockbridge Community Schools for many years before moving on to the University of Michigan Hospital. After retiring from U of M, Jan continued her service to the community, dedicating 16 years as Waterloo Township Clerk and serving on the local SAESA Board. Jan was always generous and welcoming, and she ‘adopted’ many delivery folks, friends, and visitors.
Jan is survived by her four children: Karla Kowalec of Munith, Cheryl Bayerl of Williamston, Ken (Tracy) Kitley of Stockbridge, and Cindy (Doug) Lance of Munith. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Jessica (Chad) Carr, Kenny (Lisa) Kitley, Sam (Kait) Bayerl, Cassie (Josh) Watson, Georgia Bayerl, Barb (Misti) Lance, Natalie Kowalec, Dalton Kitley, and Isaac Lance; five great-grandchildren: Layton Carr, Brady Carr, Ezra Watson, Isabel Watson, and Leigh Lance-Stevens; a brother, Vaughn Hale, sisters-in-law, Janet Senyko, Connie Kitley, and Elaine Hale; uncle, Bill Gottschalk, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George, her sister-in-law Barb Smith, brothers-in-law Bud Kitley and Ed Senyko, and her brother, Richard Hale. Heaven probably wasn’t ready for the level of rejoicing at the reunion of George and Jan.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Munith United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. with a short and light reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cascades Humane Society or the Munith United Methodist Church.
Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.
