Janet French

Funeral services for Janet French, 84, of Bussey, will be held Saturday, August 23,
2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville (corner of Main and
Harlan). Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to join the family for a luncheon immediately following the service.
Interment will be at the Marysville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in care of Janet’s family and will be designated at a later date.
Janet Colleen was born April 27, 1941, in Knoxville, Iowa, to Gary and Margaret
(Brown) Heaton. She grew up in the Bussey area and graduated from Bussey High
School in 1959. That same year, she married her longtime sweetheart, Jim French, in
June of 1959. Janet and Jim shared 66 wonderful years together, raising their three
children: Jeff, Julie, and Jimmy.
Janet’s life centered around her family. A talented homemaker, her home was always
open, and there was always a meal or treat ready to share. She was a wonderful
cook—her Sunday roasts filled the house with comforting aromas, and her sugar
cookies, root beer floats, and black cows were family favorites. Christmas was a
treasured time for her, filled with decorating, hosting her family on Christmas Eve, and
preparing chili, oyster soup, and homemade Christmas candies.
Her grandchildren adored her. Whether helping with rides, welcoming them for
overnights, or giving her famous “grandma haircuts,” she was always present,
supportive, and loving.
Janet’s strong faith guided her life. She shared her gifts generously within the church,
helping decorate, singing in the choir alongside Jim, participating in programs, and
serving on the church board.
Janet passed away on August 18, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents,
Gary and Margaret Heaton; and siblings, Louise, Dwayne, Harry, Marie, Clyde, and
Alvin.
She will be deeply missed by her husband, Jim French; children: Jeff (Julia) French,
Julie (Jeff) Hagmeier, and Jimmy (Tiffany) French; grandchildren: Travis (Holly) French,
Lucas French, Larry (Kelsie) Merrill, William (Jamie) Hagmeier, Shawn (Sara)
Hagmeier, Trevor Hagmeier, Alex French, Hailey (Cody) Nguyen, and Payton French;
great-grandchildren: Hunter (Abby), Jillian, Khloe, Mackynize (Tyler), Aniston, Huxley,
Linken, Preston, Zachary, Carter, Lola, and Gia; great-great-grandchildren: Vada, Millie,
and Frankie; siblings: Marvin (Ellen) Heaton and Judy Clark; along with many other
relatives and friends.