Janet A. Engelman, 78 years old, was born on August 20, 1942, in East St. Louis, IL, and returned to her heavenly home on Monday, February 8, 2021, in Festus, MO.

Janet was a devout Christian and loved the Lord. Her life's passion was focused on the Lord and spreading his message.  She belonged to Holy Cross Lutheran Church and was a member there for over 45 years.

She was a secretary in her early days and then became a homemaker and wife when she married her husband Richard.  She was blessed with two lovely children, Jennifer and Jeff, and they became her world. From the very beginning, her life was dedicated to her children; and then later her grandchildren, Ethan and Isabella.  She made sure her children were dedicated to God and focused their life to also love the Lord with the same passion that she had for the Church.  Janet also had a second life passion and that was her love for animals.  She adored her pets.  Her fur babies were an important part of her life. Rusty, Cricket, Naomi, Skip, Haleigh, and many kitty cats and bunnies over the years were Janet's second love. Her pets were faithful, loyal, and constant companions to Janet over the years.

Janet was kind, caring, and always went above and beyond for anyone that needed her.  She had a quick wit and could always leave people smiling.  She had a special bond with her twin Judy and both of them could entertain everyone with the numerous stories of their youth.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Engelman, her parents, Edwin and Esther Sims, and her siblings and their spouses, Mildred Woodring (Rufus), Edwin Sims, and Mable Lee Woods (Rod).

She also was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Betty Engelman Meils (Dean), and brother-in-law Angelo Zavaglia.

Janet is survived by her children, Jennifer (Robert) Nelson and Jeffrey Engelman, her twin sister, Judith Zavaglia, her brother, Robert (Kathy) Sims, her grandchildren, Isabella Grace Engelman, and Ethan Dean Engelman, and her sister-in-law, Norma Sims along with many cherished nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations in honor of Janet be made to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021, from 10 am to 12 pm, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, with a funeral service starting at 12 pm. Burial at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery will immediately follow the funeral service.