Eleanor Janssen

Eleanor Mae (Drake) Janssen, 88, of Dowagiac, passed away Monday, February 27, 2017. She was born on May 14, 1928, the daughter of Vance and Goldie (Hodges) Drake in Dowagiac Michigan. On November 23, 1946 she married Raymond Janssen, and he survives. Eleanor is also survived by five children. They include Thomas (Beth) Janssen, Teresa Hemenway, Timothy (Judy) Janssen, Trudy (Daniel) Coville, and Tena (David) Warkentien. Also 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and five great, great grandchildren. Other survivors include three sisters, Emma Jean Jerz of Dowagiac, Eunice (Robert) Luke of Dowagiac, and Estelle (Frank) Beach of Decatur, a sister-in-law, Shirley Janssen of Dowagiac. She also is survived by a very loyal and loving dog, Patton. She was preceded in death by her parents, two children: Theodore and Tammy; two grandchildren: Harley Hemenway and Melissa Warkentien; a brother, Emerson Drake and a sister, Elaine Matthews. Eleanor worked in a variety of places, including Modar, Inc., Consolidated Diecast, Page Electric in Decatur, and the Decatur Republican newspaper, which she dearly loved. She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church and Women's Group in Decatur, the Monday Night Running Club, and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and was a Van Buren County 4-H leader for many years. She loved to crochet, go camping, wallpaper, and especially loved to play games with her family and friends. She was known for her quick wit and great sense of humor. She and her husband welcomed many friends and family into their home over the years. Eleanor was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother and friend and will be missed by many. Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7 pm at the Newell Chapel in Decatur on Friday, March 3. The rosary will be prayed at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 4, at 11 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 500 W. St. Mary Street in Decatur, with Father Richard Altine presiding. Burial will take place at the South Wayne Cemetery, Gage Street, Dowagiac. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Southwest Michigan Hospice or the Holy Family Scholarship Fund.