Janet Elaine Tarrant

Janet Elaine (Derke) Tarrant, age 84, of Bath, Michigan, passed away on Sunday May 23, 2021. She was born on March 6,1937 in Lansing, Michigan, to Alvin Albert Derke and Tillie (Nickols) Derke. She married Jerry William Tarrant on July 1,1955 and they enjoyed 59 years together until his passing in 2015.

Janet is survived by her children Glenn (Ellyn)Tarrant, Cindy Pascoe, Greg (Linda)Tarrant, and Jill Tarrant; her sister Shirley Derke; 21 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Donald Derke and Gary Derke, and granddaughter Keegan Tarrant.

Janet was a pivotal member of the Greater Lansing Church of Christ. She freely shared her faith with family, friends and strangers without judgement, only love. Among her many services to her church family, she spent countless hours organizing support for and traveling to Honduras to establish the School of the Good Samaritan. These efforts allowed many children to receive an education which otherwise would not have been possible.

Aside from her commitment to the church, Janet was an avid Spartan and Bath Bees fan. More importantly, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend who enjoyed tending her flower gardens, feeding the birds and crocheting treasured afghans that each of her grandchildren has received or will receive on their 16th birthday. Gathering for a meal and special celebrations brought her great joy. She had a special gift of making anyone she spent time with feel important. Her wit and quick calculations--even during her final days--made her a tough opponent around the family game table, yet she was the first to laugh at herself.

Visitation for Janet will be held on June 16, 2021 at Gorsline Runciman DeWitt Chapel, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt, MI 48820 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate Janet’s life on June17, 2021, at the Hawk Hollow Chapel,15101 Chandler Rd, Bath Twp., MI 48808. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Micah 6 Community, an organization committed to improving the lives in a struggling neighborhood, that Janet has supported since its inception. 32 Newberry Street, Pontiac, MI 48341, https://www.micah6community.com/

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes in Dewitt, MI. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grdewitt.com for the Tarrant family.