Janet D GILLIS

12 MAR 1968 - 1 JUN 2019

• BIRTH: 12 MAR 1968, South Bend, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 1 JUN 2019, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

• MARRIAGE: 26 OCT 1996, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N21233] Janet D. Radzikowski
March 12, 1968 - June 1, 2019
SOUTH BEND - Janet Deanne (Gillis) Radzikowski, 51, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Janet was born to the late John Delbert Sr. and Penelope May (Roorda) Gillis on March 12, 1968, in South Bend, Indiana. Janet is survived by her husband, David Lee Radzikowski of South Bend. They were married for 22 years. From that union, came a son, Garrett; stepson, Grant (Rebecca); and three grandchildren, Lukas, Noah, and Hailey Radzikowski. Also surviving is her mother, Penelope Gillis; brothers, John Jr. (Lori), Jim, and Jeff Gillis; her mother-in-law, Phyllis Kruszewski; and a brother-in-law, Duane Radzikowski, Jr. Janet's father John, her stepfather Henry Sr., and her father-in-law Duane Radzikowski, Sr. all preceded her in death. Janet worked at the St. Joseph County Highway Dept. as an Administrative Assistant, the St. Joseph County Probate Court for both Judge Nemeth Sr. and Jr., at Pizza King in Roseland, and she was a 10-year member of 4H. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, and ballet dancing, performing on stage and teaching. The family would like to thank Janet's wonderful caregivers at Michiana Hematology Oncology and Dr. Bilal Ansari, the medical trials in Detroit and Indianapolis, and the Center for Hospice Care staff. Please consider donations in Janet's name to: Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Tuesday, June 11, from 11am to 1pm, with service at 1pm, at McGann Hay Funerals-Cremations-Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23, enter the parking lot off Cherry Rd. The Rev. Don Neely will be officiating the service. Burial will immediately follow at Southlawn Cemetery. To send condolences to the family please visit www.McGannHay.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on June 6, 2019

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Such a good person' still waging 10-year battle against cancer

By Bill Moor Columnist Oct 7, 2018

Janet (Gillis) Radzikowski always has looked liked a young adult version of the redheaded heroine of “Annie.” Fresh faced and full of life, she grew up on the Waggoner Dairy Farm that her dad managed on Orange Road. She was a country girl who milked cows and cleaned stalls but also participated in ballet with the Southold Dance Theater. Janet never seemed to age - looking the same at 30 and 40 as she did at 20. But now she is 50 and she hardly recognizes herself when she looks in the mirror. During the last few years, she has lost 30 pounds while her face has puffed up like a chubby baby’s. “We try to laugh about things,” says Janet’s husband David, a 29-year veteran of the St. Joseph County police force. “I tell her that she looks like she is storing nuts in her cheeks for the winter.” Janet smiles at that description. It feels so much better to laugh than to cry. There has been plenty of the latter. Janet has bladder cancer. She has fought it - mostly silently - for about 10 years. She thought she had beaten it once after her bladder was removed and she was given a new one made out of her large intestine, a procedure called an Indiana pouch. But the cancer kept coming back and over the last year, it has attacked her with a vengeance. It has spread through her body, including into her breasts. “We had one doctor tell us that he had never even heard of that before,” David says. “Why does this happen to such a good person?” Janet keeps battling - and even had to undergo an operation on her spine six weeks ago. She also has a catheter that she has to deal with every four hours. “My quality of life isn’t very good right now,” she admits. Yet she still tries to work a half day at her secretarial job with the county highway department. She has been with the county for almost 30 years and has worked a part-time job at Pizza King in Roseland for just as long. A mother of a 20-year-old son, Garrett, she has always worked two jobs. Pizza King is where I first knew Janet as the cute gal who served up my pepperoni pizza. I saw her every Friday night. and then we moved into the same neighborhood as Janet and David 20 years ago. We all know somebody like Janet. She is one of those people who can make you feel better about your day just by being around her. A little on the shy side, she has always had a twinkle in her eye. But now she is praying that a clinical trial up in Detroit that she was to start on Friday will work a miracle. “The odds aren’t good right now - the doctor says 10 to 20 percent,” she admits. “I’m not giving up.” She tries to do some walking and to bulk up a little on strawberry shakes. “We’re mad at God right now,” David says. “But Rev. Don Neely, who married us, came to our house and talked to us about things. We may start going to church again.” They know they need all the prayers they can get. “I told her I would take her to Hawaii for two months if she wanted but she’s not like that,” David says of his wife. “She would rather save the money for new carpeting. She has never been selfish in her life.” Julie Anderson, an owner at Pizza King and one of Janet’s best friends, says that a fundraiser is in the works. “She is my hero with the courage that she has shown,” Julie says. “She is such a good person. I can’t imagine life without Janet.” None of us who know her can. Contact Bill at ern14est@yahoo.com.

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Summary
Janet Radzikowski is 51 years old and was born on 03/12/1968. Janet's Reputation Score is 4.12. Janet calls South Bend, IN, home. Sometimes Janet goes by various nicknames including Janet D Gillis, Janet D Radzikowski and Janet D D Gillis. We know that Janet's political affiliation is unknown; ethnicity is Caucasian; and religious views are listed as Christian. Janet's relationship status is married. Janet maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including David Radzikowski, Duane Radzikowski, Garrett Radzikowski, Cynthia Dazell and Christopher Dazell. Janet's net worth hovers over $100,000 - $249,999 with a yearly income that's about $100 - 149,999. View All Details www.mylife.com