(Stanwood) - Janet Rhea Bowman (Ellison) - beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend - was forever relieved of her Earthly suffering on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Janet passed away with her loving family at her side after bravely fighting numerous illnesses and debilitating health problems for many years. She was born Janet Rhea Ellison in Lakeview, Michigan on April 22, 1952. She was the daughter of Albert "Bob" & Charlotte (Crame) Ellison and sister of Jerry (Lora) Ellison. Janet was preceded in death by her beloved Dad (Bob) and her infant daughter Marcie. She was a proud lifetime resident of the Stanwood area. On September 28, 1974 Janet married Timothy Bowman. They shared 35 beautiful years of marriage. Together they had four daughters: Michelle (David) Bigelow of Manton, Melinda (JJ) Higgins of Stanwood, Melissa (Toby) Smith of Stanwood, and Misty (Shannon) Cooley of Stanwood. Janet was blessed with the gift of 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson: Blakely & Maddie Bigelow, Charli & Timothy Brennan, Cole Higgins, Trevor & Tobie Smith, Clay & Cassie Cooley, and Brandon Heath. In addition to her immediate family, Janet is survived by numerous aunts, uncles, brothers/sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as her best friend Kathy Rozell and family. While her children were young Janet was very active in the PTO at the Stanwood Elementary School. She held various offices within the PTO and volunteered for and organized numerous events, including book fairs, roller skating in the gym, the annual carnival, and the Christmas program. As her children grew up she sought work outside the home. She often worked part-time at Stanwood Market and throughout the 1980's Janet was employed at Ferris State University, first in the Rankin Center Bookstore and then at the Mailroom. Janet enjoyed her job and cherished the many friends she worked with throughout the years. In 1990 her health declined to a point that she became disabled. She bravely battled many illnesses and health crisis' since that time. Janet was a member of the Buckley Old Engines and Thrashers Club for 20+ years and enjoyed camping at the show every August. She was a lifelong member of the Stanwood Free Methodist Church. Her faith was important to her and she looked forward to her home in Heaven. Janet loved animals of every shape and size. She never met a stray that didn't stay! Janet loved to laugh and enjoyed making everyone around her laugh and smile continually. She never met a garage sale she could resist and spent many weekends scouting them out with her beloved husband. She loved her family. Spoiling her grandchildren was the joy of her life and she was good at it! We will miss her humor, compassion, empathy, contagious smile, unyielding faith, unwavering bravery, and unending love. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. The family invites you to join them in celebrating Janet's life at the visitation services at the funeral home on Friday, July 9, 2010 from 1pm - 3pm and 5pm - 8pm. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 10th at 11:00 am at the Stanwood Free Methodist Church in Stanwood. The family will begin greeting visitors one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be left at the funeral home to assist the family with final expenses.