Obituary of Janet Frances Parran

Janet Frances Lewis was born on May 10, 1940, in Erie, Michigan.  She was one of nine children born to the union of Walter Lewis and Hazel (Duvall) Lewis.  She attended Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio graduating with the class of 1959.

On May 14, 1960, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Temperance, Michigan Janet married the love of her life James Parran.  Together the couple were blessed with six children - three boys and three daughters.  For more than four decades, Janet helped to support her family, being self-employed as a home-health care provider.  She retired in 2010.

Janet was an active member of her parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Erie.  Always willing to lend a hand, she was a familiar face at the Knights of Columbus and with the Ladies Auxiliary #7413.  Janet loved playing pinochle, crocheting afghans for others, and bowling in her league at Jugs in Toledo.  She enjoyed visiting casinos to try her hand at the nickel slot machines.  Many trips were made with her sisters and friends to the Hollywood Casino, Firekeepers, and Soaring Eagle.

Janet enjoyed traveling and was fond of the trips she took to Las Vegas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. She enjoyed spending winters in St. Petersburg and Kissimmee, Florida.  When she wasn’t on the go, she relaxed in front of the television with “Two and a Half Men”, “The Young and the Restless”, and “The Bold and the Beautiful” - being her favorites.

Janet was well known for her gift of gab, and the countless hours she spent on the phone communicating with her friends.  By far her favorite pastimes were spending time with family and the annual July barbecue celebrating her husband, James’s birthday.  However, being a grandma or “GG” made her smile the most.

Janet Frances Parran, age 84 passed away on Saturday; June 29, 2024, at her home in Temperance, Michigan with her loving family by her side and under the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio.  Her passing was preceded by her parents: Walter and Hazel Lewis; her beloved husband of fifty-seven years: James Parran on June 11, 2017; a daughter: Debra Jean Parran on December 29, 1962; three sisters: Ruth Winkler, Helena Turner, and Rita Stobinski; and three brothers: Howard, Walter, and Raymond Lewis.

To cherish Janet’s memory she leaves two daughters: Jennifer (Abbas “Sam”) Saleem of Chicago, Illinois and Mary Kay (Andy) Rafko of Erie, Michigan; three sons: Bryan (DeAnn) Parran of Luna Pier, Michigan, Carl Parran of Temperance, Michigan, and James Parran, Jr of Dundee, Michigan; two sisters: Angela LaPlante of Erie and Elrose Deehan of Windsor, Ontario, Canada; a sister-in-law: Mary Jane Lewis of Erie; seven grandchildren: Nicole (Peter) Saleem-Nadimi, Bryan (Tammi) Parran Jr., Ali (Jenny) Saleem, Andrea (Isaac) Skaggs, Ashley (Andy Abadier) Saleem, Danielle Saleem, and James (Alexis) Parran III; ten great-grandchildren: Braelyn Parran, Miya Parran, Mason Skaggs, Kian Nadimi, Finn Parran, Leila Saleem, Skylar Skaggs, Noor Nadimi, Zain Saleem, and Aria Nadimi.  Janet was excited also to meet her great-grandson, Rhett, who is expected to be born in November.

Friends may gather from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday; July 5, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, Erie; 9156 Summit Street, Erie, Michigan 48133 (734) 317-7199 where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.  She will lie in state from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Saturday; July 6, 2024, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church; 8330 Lewis Avenue, Temperance, Michigan 48182. The Mass of the Resurrection will take place at 11:00 am with Father David Cybulski as celebrant.  A procession will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery in Erie, Michigan for burial.

The family requested memorial donations be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or school in Erie, Michigan. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.