Janelle Howell Coons

Janelle Howell Coons, age 92 died July 21, in Lawrence, Kansas. Janelle was born in 1926 in Irene, Texas, to Jefferson Davis and Myrtle (Zinn) Howell. Along with her four siblings, Janelle grew up in Waco, Texas until she attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas in 1946. Janelle was preceded in death by her husband Warren R. Coons of 66 years in 2012, and three of her four siblings: Imogene Shelton, Geraldine Bachers, and Jefferson Davis Howell, Jr.

Janelle is survived by her sister, Marilyn Bownds of The Woodlands, Texas, her son Philip and his wife Deborah of Boynton Beach, Florida, son Robert and his wife Jill of Durango, Colorado and daughter Susan Wade and her husband John of Lawrence, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Janelle married Warren on May 25, 1946 after meeting him while he was stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco and they moved to Warren’s hometown of Hartford, Connecticut. Janelle and Warren raised their children in Glastonbury, Connecticut where they resided for almost 50 years. Janelle was highly regarded as the Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of The Hartford Insurance Group (ITT) from 1970-1988. Janelle and Warren were accomplished and active square dancers and round dancers and enjoyed a large community of friends that they danced with for over 30 years in Connecticut and Florida.

They relocated to Sun City Center, Florida in 1990 and enjoyed coastal living until moving to Lawrence in 2004. Janelle loved living in Lawrence near her family, made many friends and was a loyal Jayhawks Basketball fan. She was an avid traveler, active in the Red Hats Society, Lawrence Welcome Club, and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Janelle loved her family and took great pride in her children and grandchildren. She was an intelligent, beautiful, patient, and caring wife and mother and will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. We love you, Mom.

A celebration of life will be held October 6, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Baker University’s Osbourn Chapel, Baldwin City. Inurnment will be held at Leavenworth National Cemetery. The family requests that charitable contributions be made in Janelle’s name to the Autism Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.