Janice Belen

She was born on April 1, 1936 in Munising to Fred and Florence (Burke) Posont. Jan graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1954. She married Howard Stahlecker on May 11, 1957. Howard served in the U.S. Army and the family lived in Okinawa, Alabama, Nebraska, Michigan, and Alaska. Howard was killed in a helicopter accident, so Janice returned home to Munising with her three young children. Always a hard and dedicated worker, she worked as a CNA at Munising Memorial Hospital. Jan met and married Julius “Jules” Belen. She continued to work at Munising Memorial as the cook in the kitchen. For many years, she also taught ceramics out of her home and even ran a toy store out of the basement. Jan was also the Avon Lady for many years. Janice and Lorraine were avid garage sale fans – they enjoyed going to them and also having them. She was a member of Sion Lutheran Church and then Good Shepherd. Janice enjoyed crafting, card making, scrapbooking, playing cards and cribbage with her friends. She enjoyed day rides out to lunch after church and especially enjoyed her scooter escapades with her great friend, Nancy Prunick. Jan could make friends wherever she went. Janice was loved by her family and she was devoted to her children. Janice was a hard-working woman, and she felt that her most important job was to be a mother, and it was the best job she ever had.

Janice is survived by her children – Joan Garrett of Munising, Karl (Tracey) Stahlecker of Huntsville, AL, and Brenda (Phillip) Eichhorn of Taylor, MI; three granddaughters – Breanna (David) Thomas, Chantelle Maynard, and Tekla Stahlecker; great-grandchildren – Nathan, Abigail, Lilly, Liam, and Owen; siblings – Rita Anderson, Duane “Picky” (Arlene) Posont, Lorraine Hawley, Larry Posont, and Terry Posont; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Howard Stahlecker and Jules Belen, infant daughters Carol Claudine and Baby Girl Stahlecker, brother Francis “Pete” Posont, and son-in-law – Ken Garrett.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Munising Memorial Hospital for the excellent care. She loved you all and we love you for taking such special care of our Mom.

Services will be held at a later date and Janice’s obituary and tribute wall may be found at bowermanfuneralhome.net.