Janet Margaret Willier's Obituary
Janet Margaret Willier, 91 of Centerville passed away Tuesday January 2, 2024 at MercyOne Centerville Long Term Care, surrounded by family.
Janet was born August 13, 1932 in Brazil, Iowa the daughter of James and Tressa (Watts) Gerard. She received her education from the Brazil Grade School and Centerville High School, graduating in 1950. She was united in marriage to Charles John Willier on January 21, 1952 in Albia Iowa. To this union, five children were born.
Janet began her working career at Beer's Drug Store in the fall of 1950. Here she met her future husband, and eventually they purchased the drug store that became Willier Pharmacy. Together they operated the pharmacy until her husband's passing in 1985. Janet retired from business at this time after 33 years of serving the Centerville community. Janet was raised with a very strong work ethic. For the next 33 years she took daily early morning walks to pick up all the trash on the Centerville square. During this time, she also found and returned many wallets, credit and debit cards to their rightful owners, and collected gallons of pop tabs for fundraising efforts. Four different Centerville Mayors requested to award her for these efforts of public service, but she declined each time. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her children and their families when able. She spoke of them often and cherished her memories of her family.
Survived include her children, Stephen, Jonathan (Gretchen), Terri Jefferson, Jeff (Barbara) and Pamela Willier, her grandchildren Jared Jefferson (Marci), Katelyn Jefferson, Jillian Jefferson Miller (Ryan), Brenton Willier and Isabella Willier, her great grandchildren Anthony Azevedo, Jerzy Mikah Jefferson, Allan James Jefferson, Damian Chavarria and London Miller, two sisters Marie Gerard Sales, Alice Gerard Mathews, and one sister-in-law, Gurneth Willier Elliott, and numerous extended family.
Preceded in death by her husband C.J. Willier, her parents Jim and Tressa Gerard, her in-laws Gurney and Lillie Willier, an infant sister, and one brother Julius (Jim) Gerard, two half-brothers James Gerard and John James Gerard, five brother in laws Claude Sales, Ron Mathews, Jack Reed, Lester Willier and Joe Elliott, four sisters in laws Ruth Gerard, Carol Reed, Geraldine Willier, Ramona Gerard, and a son-in-law Allan Jefferson.
A memorial service will be Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2:00PM at the Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville, with Kay Singley officiating. Internment will immediately follow at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be for one hour from 1:00 to 2:00 at the funeral home on Friday, January 5, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the MercyOne Centerville Long Term Care or Foundation of the Drake Public Library and may be sent to the Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Willier Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
What’s your fondest memory of Janet?
What’s a lesson you learned from Janet?
Share a story where Janet's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Janet you’ll never forget.
How did Janet make you smile?