Janet Marie Porter

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our sweet hero Janet Porter. Janet, age 73 of Irondale,  passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Janet was a woman like no other. She loved unconditionally, faced every life chapter with courage, strength, and determination to rise above life challenges like the champion she was to each of us that had the honor of knowing and loving her. She devoted her life to her family she adored. Her greatest treasures were her heartbeat in everything she said and did. She was no stranger to adversity but through it all she remained the glue that held us all together. Janet spent the first fifteen years of her professional life as a secretary for International Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Bridgeton Missouri. After that she devoted most of her adult life to raising her children. As a single mom she rose above the challenges of life with the grit and determination to ensure their happiness, well being and success. She later was employed with Mineral Area College as an IT technician and instructor and spent 20 years pouring her heart and soul into the lives of her MAC family and students. Janet is preceded in death by her father James H Wigger, mother Reva June Wigger as well as her brother Jim Wigger. Janet is survived by the love of her life Tim Porter, daughter Jennifer (Jerry) Harmon, son Dave (Susannah) Koester, sister Joyce (Kim) Akers, as well as her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren Andrew (Taylor, Averie) Koester, Matthew (Ruby, Leilani) Koester, Jonas Koester, Maggie Koester, and Madaleine McPhail. A celebration of life will be held Friday, November 1, 2024 at St. Francois Memorial Park in Bonne Terre. Visitation for the family will be held at the chapel at 11 a.m. then open for the public from 12 noon to 2 p.m. A memorial service will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through Venmo (https://account.venmo.com/u/dave_koester) or PayPal (davekoester). Family and friends can review and share stories, photos and condolences online at www.stlfuneral.com and follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill.