Janet Kay Fassel

CARBONDALE – Janet Kay Fassel, 84, passed away surrounded by her loving daughters on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Janet was born on August 25, 1938 to Delbert and Hazel (Dixon) Dietz in Murphysboro. She married Kenneth Lee Fassel on November 10, 1956 in DeSoto, IL. He preceded her in death on July 13, 2011.

Janet is survived by her daughters, J’Neita Lynn Fassel (Frederick Bell) and Marilyn (Kevin) Piper; grandchildren, Opie (Shaneille) Piper, Mindy (Tarik) Swenson, Dax (Lauren) Piper; great-grandchildren, Zoey Lynn Swenson, Cooper Lee Swenson, Parley Belle Piper, Oakes Jensen Piper, Kallahan Aceston Piper and Briggs Bennett Piper.

Janet is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and very dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Cody Kay Piper, sister and brother-in-law Karen and John Bigler, brother Richard Dietz and brother-in-laws Virgil Fassel and Roy Fassel.

Janet was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church (ELCA) in DeSoto, IL where she served on Council for many years.

Janet worked at Tom’s Place in DeSoto and drove a school bus for West Bus Service for over 18 years. All of her school bus children loved the School Bus Lady. She later retired from the SIUC Stone Center.

Janet was an avid and very gifted Quilter, making works of art from fabric was her passion, as well as embroidering. She truly was an artist when it came to quilting. She was a founding member of the Red Hat Quilters. Those ladies sure had a good time, participating in quilting every week at her home in the “Quilting Barn” and enjoying potluck lunches.

She loved being hostess to the many festivities she and her husband Kenneth would put on over the years, be it a Halloween Party, Pecan Picking Party, Corning Party, or Card Game Party. There was always a reason to gather with friends and family.

She loved to flower and vegetable garden as well as keeping her lawn manicured. She was the best pie crust and pie maker ever.

She gave a home and love to any dog that was left on the side of the road, as well as the purebreds she purchased for her family to enjoy.

She loved her home in the “Country” on Indian Hill for many years and most recently enjoyed her home on a small private lake in Carbondale where she made many new and dear friends. She spent countless hours quilting in her “Quilting Room” with a view on the lake. She loved visiting with close neighbors on her deck and taking her golf cart around the lake, many times delivering specially baked treats.

She enjoyed outings with her POET group as well as her CCHS Ladies Lunch Group. She was a great role model and always seemed to have endless energy. There wasn’t a challenge too big or small that she wouldn’t take on. She was a devoted friend to many.

She loved her God, her Church, her family and her friends. She leaves a void that cannot be filled.

Memorial service for Janet will be on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in DeSoto. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday.

Memorial may be made in Janet’s memory to Indian Hill Cemetery ℅ George Jacobs, 3880 Fawn Drive, Marion, IL 62959 or Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 114 South Oak Street, DeSoto, IL 62924.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Janet, visit www.meredithfh.com