Janet L. Close

Janet L. Close, age 91, of Fremont, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at the Springs of Vernon Hills, Vernon Hills, Illinois. She was born on April 24, 1931 in Reading, Michigan to Ralph and Ruthe (Wheatley) Hadley, they preceded her in death. She grew up in Fremont, Indiana, and was the oldest of three sisters. Janet spent many summers at the family lake cottage at Clear Lake, enjoying swimming, boating, and fishing. Janet and along with her sister’s helped with the family store, Hadley’s 5 and 10 until they went off to college. Janet graduated class valedictorian from Fremont High School. She later graduated from the Michigan State University Sparrow Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a nurse for many years, eventually retiring as school nurse, serving Kindergarten through High School for the Fremont Schools. She married George Close on April 19, 1953. After 48 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on September 22, 2001. A few years after her husband George’s passing, Janet remarried to childhood friend Richard L. Baker, he preceded her in death on February 19, 2006. Janet loved to spend time at Clear Lake, wintering in Florida, and her beloved kitty, Molly. She also enjoyed reading and watching musical films. She had a sweet tooth, and liked dessert, chocolates, and Aplets/Cotlets (Turkish Delight). Survivors include her sons, Douglas (Teresa) Close of Crystal Beach, Texas, Jonathan (Paula) Close of Libertyville, Illinois, and C. Eric Close of Fort Wayne, Indiana, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and one step-great-great-grandchild, four step-children, Chris (Lisa) Baker of Fremont, Indiana, Paul (Crystal) Baker of Howe, Indiana, Andy (Cathy) Baker of Waterloo, Indiana, and Pamela (Tracy) Howe of Durham, North Carolina, eight step-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren, and sisters, Ann (George) Baird of Bradenton, Florida, and Alice Corwin of Portland, Oregon. Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana. Rev. Tracey Zimmerman will officiate the service. Visitation will be held from 10 am until 12 noon Wednesday prior to the services at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana. Burial will follow the services at the Ray-Covenanter Cemetery, Fremont, Indiana. Memorial Donations may be directed to the Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy, 111 Gecowets Drive, Fremont, Indiana 46737. https://clearlakeconservancy.org Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beamsfuneralhome.com for the Close family.