Janet Kay Gilman, age 64, of Greenville, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 16, 2018 at her home under the loving care of her family and Spectrum Health Hospice after a brief illness. The daughter of Edward Kay & Joan Lillian (Simpson) Murphy, she was born on August 15, 1953 in Grayling and grew up in Roscommon. On May 17, 1975, in Grayling, she married Arnold Jay Gilman and together enjoyed 43 years of marriage, raised three children, and were foster parents to over 100 children.
A member of Calvary Baptist Church, Janet previously was a member of Oakfield Baptist Church and had been active as an AWANA leader and with Bible study groups at both churches. Janet had also worked outside the home as an Avon representative, in food service at Kentucky Fried Chicken and Spectrum Health-United Hospital, and in retirement she enjoyed volunteering at the hospital, with the used book sales at the Flat River Community Library, with Alpha Family Services of Greenville, and more recently with a personal ministry of helping seniors with home care. She delighted in riding her motorcycle, but found her greatest joy in time spent with her friends and family… especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father; an infant brother, David Murphy; and a sister, Jerri Lynn Stieler. Surviving are her husband, Arnold Jay Gilman of Greenville; their children, Levon Kay & Dennis Nauta of Gowen, Andrew Jay & Sandra Gilman of Greenville, and Brian Jay Gilman & Misty Pratt of Greenville; her grandchildren, Emma Kay, Leah Marie, Zeke, Eli, Drew, Ryan, Damian, and Christian; her mother, Joan Murphy of Texas; a sister, Mary & Rob Armstrong of Texas; a brother, Joe & Michelle Murphy of Midland; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, and from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church, 12501 Montcalm Avenue N.E., Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The Rev. R. Mark Shaw, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, and the Rev. Dan Maguire Sr. will officiate and honoring Janet’s wishes, cremation will follow the ceremony.
Janet was passionate about Calvary Baptist Church and Alpha Family Services of Greenville and would have appreciated contributions in her memory to either the Building Fund at Calvary Baptist Church or Alpha Family Services of Greenville. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Janet’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.
ChristiansenCares.com Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care,Greenville.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
