Janet M. Leinen Smith Denoyer

JANET MADELYN LEINEN SMITH DENOYER, Momence Mom (91) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Riverside Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois. “I don’t want to be mean but” was the beginning of another story mom would tell. They were indeed stories, for she didn’t have a mean bone in her body. She was first known as the daughter of Raymond Michael Leinen, Sr. and Minnie Junker when she was born January 15, 1933, in Grant Park. She soon became the big sister of twins, Jane Hand, Naples, Florida and Jean Bishir (deceased), Joanne Savich (Momence), and Raymond (Anne) Leinen, Jr., Watseka. She attended the Grant Park School system. My mom’s first job was waitressing. Harold Smith walked in one day with a couple of his buddies. He took one look at mom and told his friends, “That is the woman I am going to marry.” On October 14, 1950, Harold Smith and Janet Leinen were married in Momence by Pastor Paul C. Wilson. They spent the next 45 years living happily in Momence. In 1951, she became a mother, when their first daughter Cheryl (Michael) Hess, Momence, was born. Together they had two other children: Diane Billadeau (deceased) and Kevin Smith, Joliet. On May 13, 1962, mom accepted Christ as her Savior and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Momence. Mom worked at Park Manufacturing in Grant Park as a spot-welder and then in the office. She also worked at Gilbert Plastics and SEVKO. She ended her working career at Baker & Taylor, Momence in the credit department. At the ripe old age of 35, mom became a first-time grandma to Michael McGowan (deceased). She was grandma to Aaron (Janice) Billadeau, and Kelly (Scott) Shields. She was nana to Kameron (Alyssa Blackburn) Smith, Katie (Michael) Thompson, and Alex Smith. She was Grandma Jan to Brandon (Michelle) Denoyer. Dad passed away at home in Momence on February 27, 1995. Mom later met and married Lawrence P Denoyer, on September 22, 2002, at St. Joe’s Church in Bradley. It was in Bradley that they created a beautiful, blended family. Dad’s children: Lawrence (Brenda) Denoyer, Jr., Gruene, Texas; Michael Denoyer, Boynton Beach, Florida; Sharon (Michael) Hayes, Bradley; Kathryn (David) White, Gruene, Texas; Gary Denoyer, Peoria, Arizona; and Jeffery (Misty) Denoyer, Roanoke, Texas and Mom’s children became a loving family. Mom loved being with her family. Besides her children and grandchildren, she had 10 step-grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 13 step-great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren. She also had many nieces and nephews that she loved very much. Mom and dad had 22 very happy years together. Dad passed away on September 27, 2024, at home in Bradley, after a six-month illness. Mom never left his side. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Jean Bishir, her daughter, Diane Billadeau, a stepson, Lawrence (Butch) Denoyer, Jr., and a grandson, Michael Joseph McGowan. Her legacy will live on in the memories she created with her family and friends. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Momence with a Celebration of life immediately following at noon. Pastor Tim Filkins will officiate. Private burial services will be held later in the Momence Cemetery, Momence, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Youth Group.