Janet Carol (Usery) Mittler's Obituary
Janet Carol (Usery) Mittler, age 71, died March 26, 2024 in Longview, Texas. Jan is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas J. Mittler, three daughters and son-in-laws and eight grandchildren: Sandi and Daniel Brunello, and their children Nathan, Natalie and Nina of Sugar Land, Texas; Tammi and Ron Short, of Longview, Texas and their children Andrew of Grenada, West Indies, Timothy of Carrollton, Texas and Abby of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Debby and Mike Jewesson,of Dallas, Texas and their children Madeline of Austin, Texas and Spencer of Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Bonnie and Charles Kennedy of Fayetteville, Georgia. She is also survived by two brothers and three sisters-in-law and their spouses: Barb and Chuck Mittler of St. Louis, Missouri; Ann Mittler of Sun City Center, Florida; Nancy and Roger Meyers of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; Glenn and Carol Feiste of Mooresville, North Carolina; Connie and Paul Mittler of Wentzville, Missouri and sister-in-law Bev Mittler of St. Peters, Missouri. She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews and many cousins and a host of beloved friends. Jan was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Ruth Usery and two brothers-in-law: Mike and Steve Mittler.
She graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1971 where she met the love of her life, Tom Mittler. They were married July 31, 1971 and celebrated 52 years of marriage. She supported Tom while he attended the University of Missouri-Rolla. Their three daughters were born while he was in college. Jan received her PHT, putting hubby through, degree. After graduation in May, 1975 Tom accepted a position with Eastman Chemical Company in Longview, Texas where they made their home for the past 49 years, in the same house, sometimes to her chagrin. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre (benevolent support of the Holy Land), past president of Our Lady’s Guild (she helped make many enchiladas over the years), former pre-school teacher at Elmira Chapel Mothers’ Day Out, and a team member of Women’s ACTS retreats.
Jan was an artist at heart and became an award winning quilter for which she won a blue ribbon in 2001 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for a quilt she made for Sandi and Daniel’s wedding. She firmly believed in the sewing motto that “whoever dies with the biggest stash of fabric is the winner”, she is surely wearing a ribbon in heaven for that award. She worked part time as a designer at The Christmas Store and a local flower shop. Jan enjoyed gardening and the current spring floral display in their yard reflects her artistic talents.
Jan was a 25 year cancer survivor since her major surgery to remove a liposarcoma from her left leg, affectionately referred to as “lefty”, which proved to be the source of much pain and trauma over the past 25 years, which she bore valiantly and usually with patience. Tom served as her primary caregiver, especially since his retirement 12 years ago. She also suffered from arthritis and functional neurological tremors which prevented her from doing most of her beloved sewing and crafts.
Visitation for Jan will be Thursday April 4 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Road in Longview and funeral services will include a rosary at 10 am Friday April 5 followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 am at St. Matthew Catholic Church at 2800 Pine Tree Road in Longview with internment at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. After the internment, all family and friends are invited to a luncheon at the St. John Paul II Family Center, adjacent to the church. Her eight grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
The family appreciates the medical care and support from all her doctors and their staffs; Christus Good Shepherd Hospital Emergency Department and floors E-100, 200 and 300; Longview EMS; Accent Care Home Health; Visting Angels and Walgreens on Gilmer Rd.
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