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Streator Times Press
Janet Woodrich
1942-1957
Janet Louise Woodrich, 15, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Woodrich, 106 W. Morrell Sreet, and a sophomore at Streator High School, died at 10:30 p.m., Thursday, October 17, at St. Mary's Hospital where she had been a patient since Oct. 11.
Her passing came as a profound shock to her many friends and classmates at school. She had been ill about two weeks.
Funeral Services will be conducted Sunday at 2:30 p.m. from the Park Presbyterian Church with burial in Hillcrest Memorial Park .
Miss Woodrich , daughter of Russell and Donna (Graves) Woodrich, was born in Streator Jan. 28, 1942.
She is survived by her parents, three sisters, Joyce of Chicago and Barbara and Beverly, at home; her paternal grandmother, Mrs. William Woodrich of Harvard, and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Graves of Beloit, Wis.
She was a member of the Park Presbyterian Church and of the youth organization of the church, the Girl Scouts, Dolphin Society of the high school and vice president of the King's Daughters.
She attended Grant and Northlawn Grade Schools before entering high school last year.
Friends may call at the Elias funeral home after 4 p.m. Saturday until noon Sunday when the body will be taken to the church for services.
The family of Janet Woodrich has requested that memorials be directed to the Park Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.
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Dianne Drapp (Dzurisin)
Proud to have been considered a friend of Janet. What a sweet gal.Sharon Kear (Hostetler)
It still doesn't seem possible that we lost Janet when we were all so young. The night of the "infamous" snake dance Sharon Noon and I met up with Janet in front of Hills. We spent the evening together walking around and watching the action from several hot spots. A few weeks later she was gone. She was really a nice person with a great sense of humor. I remember the shock in the halls when we heard what had happened to her, and Mr. Ganzer crying in our geometry class. What a loss for all of us.Terrance Biroschik
My memories are many of Janet, she was my sister. We were only two years apart in age, so did a lot in childhood together. Often Joyce(other sister)and I talk of all Janet would have accomplished had she lived longer. She gave our family great joy and we know if she had lived longer her contributions to our world would have been a source of satisfaction and love to many. She loved her friends in high school, both new ones, and old ones from Grant and Northlawn school. She was also proud to be a Dolphin. She still lives in our hearts.Barbara Woodrich Biroschik
Jerry Repko
A memory from the past: My father and Mr. Woodrich arranged a "date" with myself and Janet back in the mid fifty's. I recall I wore a salt and pepper jacket, white shirt, black tie, gray slacks, well shined shoes and she wore a brightly colored dress. Dad took me to Janet's house, then drove us downtown whith the understanding he would pick us up in about two hours, then come back and take us home. We left the car, slowly walked around and then boldly went into a place called Hill's that was considered hallowed ground for high school juniors and above. Somehow we got in and found a booth and ordered two cokes and fries then and were challenged by an "elder teen" who asked what right we had to be there. We said we were on our first date. Suddenly we were jeered, then cheered and left alone.We did see each other a few more times until illness took her away. The last time I saw her was when her parents asked me to be a pallbearer(sp) at her funeral. It was, and it is one of the saddest days of my life.
Craig H. Woodward
Janet sat behind me in homeroom and I will never forget her. As a short redheaded bumkin from the country I knew only a couple of other kids when I started SHS, but Janet became my friend almost at once.I guess she could sense my shyness not only about being in the BIG school, but just around other kids, and especially girls. I can remember to this day her smile, her Hi's, her unique quality that made everyone who knew her love and admire her. I will never forget her and she will always be in my memories.
P.S....The first two years at SHS was difficult for me for my father was killed at Owens 2 months after starting freshman year, also Allan Williams who sat next to me in homeroom was killed when Williams Hardware exploded. So within that two years I lost my Dad, and two of the people who had befriended me in homeroom...Janice and Allan..needless to say those first years at SHS gave me a headstart on dealing with loss and the toughness of life.........but also to learn that life does go on and the people that you love and who you have lost will always be with you as long as you keep them in your heart as I do with Janice and Allan....
Mary Javorsky (Williams)
I remember hearing the news of Janet's passing, it was before homeroom, and the halls became so quiet, classmates hugging each, and trying to understand how this could happen to such a sweet and gentle person. We had P.E. together, and when it was time for swimming Janet was the best in our class. I remember Sharon Kear being so afraid of the water, and how Janet tried to help her to overcome her fear. We have been given the gift of memory and what a precious and wonderful gift.