Obituary of Janice M. Wyatt

Janice Marguerite Wyatt Janice Marguerite Wyatt, 80, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away April 24, 2009. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Russell, her two siblings, five children, and six grandchildren. Janice was born to Guy and Ruby Mae (Goldsmith) Akers on April 8, 1929 in Cherokee County, Iowa. She was welcomed by a brother, Richard, and a sister, Virginia. They attended Good Hope Methodist Church where she was baptized in 1936. Her education began in a one-room schoolhouse in Pilot Township. Later she attended Aurelia School and graduated from Aurelia High School in 1946. After graduation, Janice enrolled at the Commercial Extension in Omaha, Nebraska and received Secretarial and Accounting Certificates in 1947. She was employed for two years as a secretary at the Union Pacific headquarters in Omaha. In December 1947, on profession of faith, she became a member of the First Methodist Church in Omaha. On August 7, 1949, Janice married Russell E. Wyatt at the United Methodist Church in Aurelia, Iowa. Their first home was in South Bend, Indiana where Russell was in business with his brother. The Wyatts lived in South Bend for seven years and in Granger, Indiana for 22 years prior to moving to Tucson, Arizona in 1978. The Wyatts have five children �" Beverly Lynn (Randy) Wolf, Sandra Jill (Benjamin) Gonzales, Russell Eugene (Sue) Wyatt, Jr., Kathy Glee (Kelly) Agers, and Ryan Jason Wyatt and six grandchildren �" Benjamin and Gabriel Gonzales, Adam (Kimberly) Hemmer, Natalie (Jordan) Kojouharov, Alex Hemmer, and Melissa Wise. Janice's life revolved around her family. She liked to sew and bake. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout den mother. She taught Sunday school at Granger Presbyterian Church as well as being active in the women's church groups and the school PTA. After moving to Tucson, Janice was a library volunteer at schools attended by Ryan. She was also involved in the Tupperware business for six years. Janice was ordained as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church on June 4, 1989 and served a three-year term at Christ Presbyterian Church in Tucson. She was involved in the women's group and taught Sunday school there. When the Wyatts moved to northwest Tucson, they became members at Tortolita Presbyterian Church on April 14, 1996. The Wyatts became members of Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church on April 28, 2002. A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 East Broadway Blvd. in Tucson at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 23, 2009. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a Christian charity benefiting children, such as the Children's Hunger Fund, Children's Medical Ministries, Christian Children's Fund or Compassion International. We love you on Mother's Day and always! Arrangements entrusted to Desert Sunset Funeral Home (297-9007)