Janet M. Lewis, age 94, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, in her room on Maple Lane at the Meridian Village Care Center in Glen Carbon, IL. Janet was born on June 28, 1931, in Freeburg, Illinois, the daughter of the late Willet and Edith Dean.

She married William B. “Bill” Lewis on December 23, 1951, in Carterville, IL. Janet and Bill met at Carterville High School and graduated in 1949. Friends at first in school and church, they fell in love after a class trip to St. Louis, a ride on the Admiral, and a light kiss on the forehead - a love that endured for over 75 years.

Janet earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, followed some years later by a Master’s in Education from SIU-E. She taught elementary school first in Carbondale, and later at Hamel Elementary in the Edwardsville School District following the family’s move to Edwardsville in 1969.

While Janet valued her years as an educator, her most cherished “career” role was as the supportive wife to a United Methodist pastor and Bishop. Janet began playing piano for services when Bill was a young student pastor serving small rural churches in Southern Illinois. She nourished and encouraged his educational and career aspirations while raising their children throughout their many appointments until “their” retirement in 1996. Janet was known to mentor young preachers’ wives just starting out, often stating that their primary job was “the care and feeding” of the young fledgling preacher, “period,” and to not let others goad the young wives into doing more, unless they wanted to. She enjoyed hosting gatherings providing food, fun, and games for their many friends and colleagues throughout a long career. Her quiet graceful manner endeared her to all, and gave her the steady resolve with which to endure health issues in her last several years.

Music was an ever-present part of Janet’s life. (She often got out of doing the supper dishes by practicing.) As an 8th grader herself, Janet played piano for 8th grade graduation. A pianist, organist and flutist, she played for church and school functions, and gave piano lessons to many young people over the years. During the summers in their retirement, she even played a 100+ year old pump organ for Sunday services in a little white Methodist church in Door County, WI. Janet was proud to have started the handbell choir at St. Johns United Methodist Church in the 1970s, and facilitated many children’s musical productions beginning with “Barbecue for Ben.”

Janet was preceded in death by her parents Willet and Edith Dean, and her two brothers, Bill Dean and Ken Dean. She is survived by her husband, Bill, and children, Becky (Rob) Shaw, Connie (Pat) Zimmermann, and Brad (Sue Betts) Lewis. Together Janet and Bill have grandchildren, Cari (Tom) Wencewicz, Ellen (Matt) Fox, Brian Zimmermann, Beth (Cory) Knoot, Christopher Zimmermann, and Ben (Teya) Lewis, as well as Rose (Michael) Peterson, Tess Betts, and Anna Betts. Great-grandchildren include Eric and Aiden Wencewicz, Evan and Madelyn Fox, Jack Knoot, H.B. and Rosie Lewis and Violet Peterson.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at St John's United Methodist Church in Edwardsville, IL.  Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm.  A memorial service will follow also at the church at 1:00 pm. Online condolences may be expressed at weberfuneralhome.com.