Janet Sue Sullivan, 81, Wabash, formerly of North Manchester, passed away on August 21, 2023, at Autumn Ridge Rehabilitation Centre in Wabash. The daughter of Robert and Thelma (Ray) McIndoo, Janet was born on September 22, 1941, in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Janet graduated from Honey Creek High School in Terre Haute in 1959. Their school mascot was the Honey Bees, which sparked a love of bees for Janet. Those who knew her well can still hear her saying, “You catch more bees with honey, not vinegar.” During her time at Honey Creek, Janet made lifelong friends, calling themselves the Fab 5, and sang in the group, the Kandy Kanes. After high school, Janet graduated from beauty school in Terre Haute. She worked as a beautician all her life and owned Janet’s Hair Salon until her health prevented her from continuing. Janet loved connecting with people. Throughout her life she became a skilled painter, decorator, woodworker, gardener, and was quite handy around the house. She was also a gifted seamstress and had a knack for crafts, making birthdays and Christmases special for her two girls. While living in Terre Haute, Janet became a member of the Southside Church of Christ and was very active in the Youth Chorus.
At the age of twenty-one, Janet married Ivan Lance. Though their union didn’t work as planned, they were blessed with two daughters, Missy and Jennifer, who in turn blessed them with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Janet was fortunate to find love again and married William L. Akers on October 23, 1993. They built a happy life together for ten years until William passed away on July 20, 2003. Janet again picked up the pieces of her broken heart and married John “Jack” Sullivan on September 12, 2006. Sadly, she experienced yet another heartbreak when Jack passed away on March 29, 2016.
Janet was a woman who was friendly, outgoing, and loving. She always remained close to her family, keeping in contact with her cousins and building on what the patriarchs and matriarchs created before her. She also had a special place in her heart for all of her furry friends, especially her cats. For many years, Janet was a member of the North Manchester Moose Lodge and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 286 in North Manchester.
The loving memory of Janet Sue Sullivan will be forever cherished by her daughters, Missy (Rick) Liston, Wabash, and Jennifer Hartley, North Webster; step-son, Dan Gagnon, Huntington; brother, Jim (Debby) McIndoo, Georgia; grandchildren, Lance Liston, Cory Moran, Kayla Liston, Brooks Hartley, and Shelby Hartley; and five great-grandchildren with one on the way. Janet was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, William Akers and Jack Sullivan; and a brother, Ron McIndoo.
Janet requested that there not be a service but for people to remember her in their own way and to follow the Golden Rule. Family and friends are invited to share their fond memories of Janet on Janet’s obituary page on the McKee Mortuary website.
The family of Janet Sue Sullivan has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.