Dr.Janice Lu Henry, Ph.D.

Dr. Janice Lu Henry, 76, of Carbondale, and formerly of Alto Pass, died at 7:02 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Reflections Memory Care in Carterville after a long battle with dementia.

She was born on July 31, 1946, the daughter of Dr. Wayne P. Sirles and Helen Rendleman Sirles. 

After the death of her father, when Jan was a baby, her mother moved her along with her older sister and brother to their family farm, Rendleman Orchards. 

She was a loving mother, daughter, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  She was caring, accomplished and had fierce determination in all she did.  

After graduating as valedictorian from Alto Pass High School in 1964, she went on to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

In 1974, she started teaching at Southern Illinois University.  She earned her Ph.D. in 1997 and became a full professor in 2001.  She married her husband, Jim Henry, in 1987 and in 2003 retired from SIU after 35 years of teaching.  

She and Jim enjoyed traveling, hosting parties and being with family until his passing in 2014.

She will be remembered by many as an outstanding teacher, leader and friend; however, she will be remembered most for the dedication and loving care she gave to her daughter, Suzanne K. Schoen-Harju, who died, in 2020, after a lifelong battle with Glycogen Storage Disease. 

She is survived by a granddaughter, Ella Harju; a son-in-law, Craig Harju; a sister, Sharon Williamson; a brother, Ren Sirles; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; a daughter, Suzanne and her sister, Judy Mittendorf.  With her strong faith, she will be welcomed in heaven with open arms.

Her  niece, Diane, gave special thanks to those that assisted her with Jan’s care; her dedicated caregiver, Sherri Young, the amazing staff at Reflections Memory Care in Carterville and Hospice of Southern Illinois.

The family asks that those who are able to make a donation to the Association for Glycogen Storage Disease or to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

Cremation rites will be accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and will be announced. Inurnment will be in Alto Pass Cemetery at a later date.

Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home in Murphysboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Visit www.crainsonline.com for service details when they become available and/or to leave an online condolence for the family.