Janet M. Harrel

Janet Marie Harrel, 77, of Van Buren, Missouri, formerly of Junction City, died Feb. 13, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She was born Jan. 7, 1939 in Wellingborough, Northhampton, England, the daughter of Bert and Emily (Forskitt) Smith. She grew up in Wellingborough, where she attended school at Wollaston Primary, where she finished school, then went to work at NPS Shoe Factory in Wellingborough.
In 1958, she was given consent by her parents to marry Airman Paul James Harrel, of the United States Air Force. They were married Aug. 1, 1958 at her family's church, The Wollaston Baptist Church in Wollaston.
Their first daughter, Denise Ann Harrel was born in 1959. Shortly after, they applied for discharge from Paul's military assignment, and in Oct., 1960, moved back to the United States, and to Paul's home town of Coin, IA. Janet was a stay-at-home mother, while Paul worked for AT&T. Their second daughter, Deborah Lynn Harrel was born in May, 1961. In August 1962, they moved to Junction City, where Paul went to work for Civil Service.
Janet was awarded her Naturalization Certificate from the District Court of Geary County on June 23, 1964. Later that summer, she received congratulations letters on becoming an American citizen from Senators Frank Carlson & James B. Pearson, Rep. Wm. H. Avery, and Kansas Republican State Committee Chairman Richard D. Rogers.
Their son, James David Harrel was born in 1964. Janet continued to be a full-time mother until 1968, when she completed a workshop and received Nursing Home Administrators Certificate. Janet then worked for Hanson's Nursing Home of Junction City. She later worked at Gibson's store and later for the new Wal-Mart when it opened. When Paul's health began to fail in early 1998, she stayed at home and became his care-giver. Janet enjoyed Bingo, and spending time with friends and family.
Janet was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Social Order of the Beaucant, the Ladies' Auxiliary of the American Legion, the Elk's Club, the Eagles Women's Auxiliary, and NARFE. She volunteered for the Relay For Life and Shriner Mini Wheels Events. She assisted her husband in all his endeavors as Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Kansas in 1990-1991. She was involved with the "Laying of the Wreath" on Memorial Day at Heritage Park, from it's inception, until her health prevented her from attending.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her loving husband of 39 years; her parents; a brother, Robert Smith; and a sister, Eileen.
Survivors include: 2 daughters, Denise Harrel, and Debbie Gee and her husband Jimmy, all of Winona, Missouri; a son, David and his wife Lydia, Junction City; a sister, Jean Sargent, England; 4 grandchildren, Lindsey Homewood and her husband Josh, Halstead, Jason Crouch, Arkansas, Darren Williams and his wife Brittany, Junction City, and Paul C. Harrel, California; 4 great grandchildren, Waylon Homewood and Landrey Homewood, Halstead, KS, Avah Williams and Madison Thrasher, Junction City; a niece, Julie Line and her daughters, Sarah and Michelle of England; 2 nephews, Paul Line, of England, and Steven Sargent and wife Katie, and their daughters, Meagan, Rosie, Twin-sons Donnie and Doyle of England;; and 16 aunts and uncles of England.
A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City. Inurnment will follow at Wreford Cemetery, south of Junction City. Memorial Contributions may be given to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, sent in care of the funeral home.