Funeral services will be held at 12pm on Monday, May 15, at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 10am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers and/or Samaritan's Purse. Read the full story of her life and express online condolences at www.rungemortuary.com.
Janet M. Wheeler was born June 7, 1944, to Glenn and Grace (Havener) Wheeler in Rock Island, IL. She grew up on the family farm outside of Illinois City, IL and graduated from Rock Ridge High School in 1961. She married Earl P. Monholland on December 12, 1964 enjoying 49 years of marriage until he passed away in 2014.
Mom was, not only, a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandma she was a loving sister, aunt and friend. The center of mom’s life was her walk with Jesus. She wanted to make sure that her family and friends knew the love Jesus had for each and everyone of them. Mom wanted to see each and every family member and friend in Heaven!
Mom was a very talented seamstress and costume maker. The costumes she made for my brother, Earl, and I were the best! She kept that tradition going with her grandchildren! Mom also worked tirelessly on Show Choir costumes for Zachary’s first teaching assignment in Belmond, IA. Mom was a wonderful dressmaker! She made the wedding gown of my dreams! She lovingly hand beaded each sleeve and the bodice. There was nothing she could not do!
Grandma was a name that, I think, she loved best! She absolutely loved spending time with Zachary and Noel! Mom loved to play games with the grand kids and their friends! They lovingly referred to her as “Grandma Cheater Pants”. Mom’s favorite game was spoons and she was always finding innovative ways to keep and extra spoon on or near her to “equalize” the situation! The kids loved her competitive spirit and she was proud of her “reputation”!
Mom loved adventure whether it was hunting rocks, digging for fossils with dad, ziplining, going flying with her son-in-law, Mark, or taking a fast Corvette ride with her granddaughter, Noel. Mom was always up for a new kind of fun!
Mom’s life was a life well lived.
Those left to honor Janet’s memory include her daughter and son-in-law, Juanita and Mark Howell, Davenport, IA, grandson, Zachary (Adam Kallal) Ankeny, IA, granddaughter, Noel Howell, Davenport, IA, sister, Karen Leonard, Bettendorf, IA, brother, Glenn D. Wheeler, Illinois City, IL, brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Paula Wheeler, Sparta, WI. She also had many special nieces, nephews and very special friends and caregivers that will miss her greatly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Earl, son Earl Lee Monholland, brother’s Donald (Donna) Wheeler, Bernard Wheeler, sister Darlene Caudill, and sister-in-law L.Juanita Monholland.
