Janet Halterman

Bessie “Janet” Halterman went home to be with Our Lord on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She will be best remembered as a devoted wife and mother, as well as a hard worker and cheerful volunteer for various philanthropic and social causes.

Janet was born on October 1, 1950 in San Diego, California as the last child of Virginia Queen Dauphanis and Clifford Leo Dauphanis. When she was four years old, she moved with her family from California to Jacksonville, Florida, where she spent the majority of her life. Her father, a retired sailor, businessman, and Shriner, helped his daughter enter into service organizations such as the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Her mother worked as a secretary at a freight delivery service, helping to pay for her beautiful Rainbow Girl gowns and also teaching her that a woman could have her own career and work life should she choose to do so.

After her father's death in 1971, Janet returned for good to Florida from Corpus Christi, Texas, where she had been residing with her children. Janet worked a number of jobs to support her family with the help of her loving mother. In 1978, while working as a bartender, Janet met USN Aviation Electrician’s Mate Second Class, James “Jim” Halterman, from northern Virginia who was recently transferred to Jacksonville. Within two years, they were married, and he became the father to all her children and adopted the youngest, Jason Michael (1977-2020). For decades they have called him "Dad", for his love for them has always been unconditional.

Janet and Jim soon settled down in base housing onboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. While Jim rose through the enlisted ranks, Janet, an industrious and driven individual held several positions of employment including healthcare aide at a local retirement home alongside her mother and Housekeeping Supervisor within the Marriott hotel chain. The couple purchased their first home together in Middleburg, Florida, just south of Jacksonville. By that time there were five children in the family, as James Michael, Jr. ("Mike") was born in 1985.

While in Middleburg, Janet was an active parental presence at various field trips, field days, and extracurricular activities in which her children were involved at Doctors Inlet Elementary, Ridgeview Junior High, and Middleburg High. During this time she accepted the position of head housekeeper, supporting the rectory at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Orange Park, Florida and making lifelong friendships in the process.

In January 1997, Jim transferred from the decommissioning Naval Air Station Cecil Field to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, and Janet accompanied him there along with their youngest son Mike. Even though Janet received a "culture shock"; she made friends easily despite the language barrier, becoming a conversational English instructor for some of her Japanese neighbors. During this time she also worked for the Navy Exchange food service division, as general manager of the Air Terminal and Flight-Line food offerings as well as the Baskin-Robbins store and the Atsugi elementary school lunch program.

Janet and Mike returned to the U.S. in June 1999, with Jim returning shortly after. Janet convinced her mother Virginia to move from Jacksonville to Pensacola, Florida and live with them, while Jim set his plans to retire from the U.S. Navy in action. Janet quickly became involved in the local community, particularly at the American Legion Post 240 in Warrington. Janet was elected first vice-president of the American Legion Auxiliary, and served for many years as the auxiliary delegate helping with the post's Florida Girls' State program.

In 2012, Jim retired full-time and Janet was able to enjoy quality time with her husband all the time. They enjoyed traveling in their motor coach and participating in motorcycle rallies, such as Panama City Bike Week and Daytona Bike Week. Janet, always moving forward, participated in the local Harley Davidson motorcycle training course receiving her class “E” motorcycle designation, she also went on to receive her own conceal-carry permit after becoming interested in learning about gun safety.

Janet was a very spiritual woman. Raised Presbyterian, she believed that Jesus taught love above all else, and that Christianity was, to her, a religion of pure love. This was most evident in the time she led a chorus of local LGBT residents in a spirited rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" while confronting protesters in Seville Square, earning the nickname of "Mama" from all those whose own mothers were not present.

Janet, "Mama", was diagnosed with cancer in June 2018. Despite being given a timeline of only six months, through God’s blessing she ultimately lived another four-and-a-half years. Her family was been so grateful for the additional time we received, and we have treated each of those days like a blessing worth its weight in gold. Her legacy lives on in all of us, and she will always be with us.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia Queen Dauphanis and Clifford Leo Dauphanis; her sister, Patricia Ann Cribbs; and her son, Jason Michael Halterman; amongst other cherished relatives. She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years and dutiful caregiver in her last years, James Michael ("Jim") Halterman, Sr. She is also survived by her children Kimberly (James) Lynn; Stacy (Keven) Kohrt; Clifford (Christina) Oram; and James Michael ("Mike") Halterman, Jr., in addition to her siblings, nine grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Hwy. in Pensacola, with a Viewing for family and friends to be held on February 5, 2023 (1 p.m. for family and 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. for friends) with the Funeral Service being held on February 6, 2023 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel at 11:00 with a procession going to Barrancas National Cemetery for a Committal Service.

Pallbearers will be Brett Oram, Greg Kayser, Kevin Hester, Robert Dopson, Charles “Mike” Padgett, and Mike Halterman. Alternates are Cliff Oram and Gary Biggs.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com for the Halterman family.