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Community Corner

Fenton Mourns Loss of Longtime Journalist

Jan Rynearson dies after battle with illness.

Fenton lost one of its most recognized citizens Tuesday when Jan Rynearson died at the age of 77.

She wore many hats in her lifetime – wife, mother, neighbor, co-worker, aunt, grandmother and more – but she consistently became a friend to everyone she met.

“Jan was a wonderful person, a friend to so many people and I am going to miss her very much,” said friend and former co-worker Orpha Verhelle.

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A lifelong resident of Fenton, Rynearson graduated from and was a proud member of the Fenton High School Alumni Association since its inception.

Rynearson was most recently the features editor for theand a freelance writer for Faith Magazine, a publication of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing. Previously, she worked for several Michigan newspapers, including 15 years with the Fenton Independent. She also worked as news director for WFEN-AM (1160), a Fenton radio station, when it was first established.

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Rynearson’s mind was filled with facts and history about Fenton, which she loved and often referred to as “our town.”

She was well-known for her many community service projects, volunteering her time for numerous organizations, including but not limited to the Zonta Child Study Club and Dibbleville Questers. She was a member of the Fenton VFW Post 3243 Auxiliary and a charter member of the Fenton Freedom Festival Committee. She was honored in 2009 when she was named the grand marshal for the Fenton Freedom Festival Fourth of July Parade.

Also in 2009, Rynearson served as co-chairwoman for the city’s Sesquicentennial Committee. It is through the efforts of Rynearson and a few other citizens who felt passionate about the subject, that the Fenton became known as the “Gazebo City.”

An active member of , Rynearson was on the St. John Education Commission for three years and the Parish Life Commission for many years. She served as a Eucharistic minister at her church and was active in the Christ Renews His Parish group.

“I met Jan at a garage sale (hers) the first week we moved to Fenton in 1985. I bought a brand new garbage disposal still in the box for $6 from her," friend and neighbor Cherie Smith said. “When she found out I was new in town, she shared the local history of houses, founding fathers and other tidbits of Fenton.

“I didn't just buy a new garbage disposal that day, I found a great friend -- worth far more than $6. What impressed me most about Jan was her ability to see the very best in everyone and in every bad situation, she always saw the sunny side of every day."

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, with Father David Harvey celebrating. Visitation will be held at  1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton on Thursday, Feb. 10, from 7-9 p.m., Friday, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. and at the church on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.

“I really admired her faith in God; she trusted that he would see her through anything,” Smith said. “She was truly a lady and proud of it. I was blessed to be able to call her friend.”

 

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