Janice Whelan

Janice Marie Whelan, 68 of Osceola, MO peacefully left this life October 5, 2012 in Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO, with family by her side. Jan was born in Council Bluffs, IA on March 14, 1944 to Elsie and Frank Horst and had one sister, Sandra Bannick of Princeton, IA. She completed her high school diploma in 1979, for which she and her family were very proud. Jan dedicated her life to her four children, Kevin, Keith, Kim and Kathy, often sacrificing her own needs to provide for theirs. She lived most of her life in the Avoca, IA area, retiring to Osceola, MO in 2000. She was widowed in 2011 when her much-loved husband, Lonnie Randall Whelan left this life. She was previously married to Terry Kobs and her beloved, Bill Pope. Her hobbies included cooking, antiquing, writing, visiting with friends and going to garage sales. She had an incredible sense of humor and was always quick with a laugh or a funny story. Full of life, Jan loved being adventurous, even trekking out into dangerous weather just to see it – nearly getting washed down the Nishnabotna River on one such excursion. She became a faithful member of the Dunnegan Bible Baptist Church in Dunnegan, MO and found a church family full of love.
Jan is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Sandra & Dick Bannick of Princeton, IA and her children and their spouses including: Kim Kobs & Angela Miller of Maryville, TN, Kevin & Sheril Kobs of Avoca, IA, Kathy and Randy McTwiggin in AZ and Keith & Cindy Kobs of ID. Grandchildren include Mikayla Kobs, Heather McTwiggin, Sara McTwiggin, April Powers, Amber Doiel, Amy Conant, Bubby Kobs, Aaron Kobs, Austin Kobs and several great-grandchildren. Also mourning her loss are cousins, extended family and her special friends including Frankie & Dave Moffett, Kitty & Frank Tucker, Marlene Renfeldt, the church family of the Dunnegan Bible Baptist Church and many special friends in Avoca, IA. Finally, Jan was an animal lover including her pets past and present: Bear, Bitsy, Holly, Dolly and Max. Her hummingbirds will miss her this coming spring.
The celebration of Jan’s life will be Friday, October 12, 2012 at 10:00 am at Dunnegan Bible Baptist Church, 280 East 380th Road, Dunnegan, MO 65640. Officiating will be Jan’s friend and pastor, Terry Faulkner.
Jan’s final resting place will be in Avoca, IA next to her beloveds Lon and Bill. Honorary pall bearers are Dave Moffett, Frank Tucker, Bill Rhea, Jerry Durst and Gary Pattee. The graveside services date is to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for the Dunnegan Bible Baptist Church (280 East 380th Road, Dunnegan, MO 65640).
Special thanks go to those that stood by Jan in her life, through the good times and bad. There are too many to mention. The caregivers at Mercy Hospital were extremely comforting in the family’s time of need. You have the family’s gratitude as you most certainly had Jan’s.