Janet (nee Houghton) Staniec, 85 of Valparaiso, IN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. She was born April 22, 1939, in Chicago, IL to the late Harry and Lillian (Fronczak) Houghton. Janet graduated from Chicago Vocational School, and after becoming a mother, she dedicated her time to being a homemaker. She was very involved with her daughters’ activities as they grew up, including participating as a Girl Scout Leader, Room Mom, and staying active in the PTA. Janet was a talented artist who showcased her abilities through oil painting, drawing, and cake decorating. She also had a soft spot in her heart for all animals, and enjoyed bird watching, golfing, and her membership at St. Paul Catholic Church. Janet will be remembered for her kind spirit and compassionate heart. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who never forgot a birthday or special occasion, and will live on in the lives of those she touched while she was here.
On August 13, 1960, at St. Felicitas Catholic Church in Chicago, Janet married James Staniec, who survives, along with their daughters: Doris (Jim) Stanish, Sandy Knight, and Kathleen (Sean) Daughtridge; grandchildren: Dan (Christine) Stanish, Brian (Kate Mulle) Stanish, Colleen Stanish, Elizabeth (Rogelio) Perez, Father Chris Stanish, Mary Stanish, Nicholas (Heidi) Stanish, Matthew (Paige) Stanish, Emily Stanish, Ben (Tasha) Daughtridge, Kevin (Karen) Daughtridge, Rachel Daughtridge, and Julie (Joel) Franklin; great-grandchildren: Jonathan and Ava Stanish, Alex, Charlotte, and Owen Perez, Zoey, Harrison, and Gabrielle Franklin; sisters-in-law, Shirley Houghton and Patricia Staniec; brother-in-law, Bill (Cynthia) Staniec; many loving nieces and nephews, numerous grand-puppies and grand-kitties; and her beloved dog, Fritz. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Anna May Wadman, Harry Houghton, Jr., and Fred (Jeane) Houghton; and brother-in-law, Robert Staniec.
A visitation will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, with a prayer service beginning at 6:00 p.m. A funeral mass will begin on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. directly at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso, with burial to follow at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Hobart.
GUESTBOOK
Dear Jim, Doris, Sandy and Kathy, My best memories of our children growing up, were created while living next to the Staniecs. Janet was a matriarch of family values. She was kind, caring and giving, and extended her graciousness to her neighbors. Once David cut his arm badly. Janet took him to the emergency room, stayed with him, and brought him back home, safe, and sutured, as if he was her own. I was fortunate to witness Janet's artistic talents, and gift giving generosity. She painted a beautiful picture of a C-130 Hercules airplane, flying over the Sears Tower, against a bright Chicago skyline. She signed it, "Jan Staniec", and gave it to me as a gift. She knew that, as an Air Force Flight Nurse, it would be special. I cherish it to this day. Janet has a special place in my heart, and she will always be a model of family values. Jim, Doris, Sandy, and Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. Love and peace, -Marian (Wolfe) Sides
