Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church passed away at home with family surrounding her with love and care, on Saturday morning, April 11, 2020. Daughter of the late Edward A. and Alice (Povolish) Yanko, beloved wife of Marlin A. Mueller, dear stepmother to Kevin (Amber) Mueller, dear “Ma-Ma” to Brendon and Nicholas, cherished sister of Dennis (Sandy) Yanko, Jean (Mark) Flannagan, Mary Ann (Ron) Battelle, Roger Yanko, Joyce (Larry) Stein, Edward (Margie) Yanko, Jerry (Barb) Yanko, Craig (Misty) Yanko. Our dear sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, cousin and friend to many.
Memorial mass to be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Valley Park) at a later date, details to follow. Inurnment at Resurrection Cemetery will be held in private.
May you rest in the arms of the Almighty. Condolences to the entire family.
My Sister and best friend. I don’t know what I am going to do without you. So many memories with you and Marlin. You were always there for me and my girls. The twins will miss you and “fun Tuesdays” for sure. You embraced my grandchildren as if they were yours. They loved their Aunt Janie! You gave it your all Jan. You fought to the end. I have a broken heart for sure but I know that you are at peace now. Save a spot for me and when the time comes I will call out to you “Lucy…..I’m home!” I love you!
Marlin and Family
Sorry for the loss of the one you loved so much. The inability to have the comfort of friends during this time is also a burden. Looking forward to lunch in the near future and hear memories of good times you shared with Janet.
Fondly,
Dan Duffy
My condolences to Marlin, the Mueller and Yanko families. Janet will always be remembered as a sweet, and loving person who was loved by all of those who were lucky enough to know her.
You were a dear and loving sister. I thank God for the time we shared together on this earth. I will miss the love and happiness you brought to all family get-together. I will miss you, but will always keep you in my thoughts, my memories, and in my heart.
Jan fought the fight with her cancer until she couldn’t fight anymore. My heart is broken with the loss of my friend and wife.
We are so sorry for the loss of dear Jan. She was a wonderful woman and friend and we will miss her terribly. Our deepest sympathies to Marlin and the Yanko family. She was a sweet, fun and loving woman
Marlin and family,
Our sincerest condolences to Marlin and the family. We absolutely loved Jan and have so many great memories with Marlin and Jan. She will be greatly missed!
Rob & Chris Jones
I cherish the memories we shared and am blessed to have had her love and laughter for all these years as her daughter-in-law. I miss our late into the evening chats over a bottle of wine (or two). I miss your relentless hospitality and boundless enthusiasm. It is your example that helped me be a better wife and mother to Mueller men. I love you and miss you dearly, Jan.
Jan,
While you were not my biological mother, you have always been there for me over the years. You were always there to give love and support me and my family and I am forever grateful. You were there for me through my formative teen years and into my adulthood and helped shape me into the man I am today. I’ll always remember and be grateful for the times you held both of my sons in your loving arms after they were born and continued to love and embrace them as your own, as only you could. You watched us grow throughout the years and always took the time to make us feel special and loved.
You have celebrated every joyous occasion with us along life’s journey and you never missed an opportunity to remind us that we were important in your life. You have been the example to me to live life to the fullest and taught me “not to sweat the small stuff”. You have been the intermediary with me and my father during our low times and and always guided our relationship “back on track”. (Lord, how you were able to handle two stubborn Mueller men without going insane is a testimony to your love for us!)
Your grace always shined through every time we got together. I never looked upon you as just a “step mother” but rather, a second mother. Everyone is blessed with having one mother, but God truly blessed me with a second. I am so thankful and blessed that God placed you into our lives. While I will mourn your passing, I will continue to celebrate your life. I know through your faith that you are in the loving arms of our savior Lord Jesus Christ and look forward to the day when I can see you again. Until that day comes, I will continue to strive to be the man that you had faith in all these years.
It is 11:15 at night and I find myself unable to sleep thinking about the love of my live, my soul mate and best friend. I keep asking myself why her? She love everybody and everything. Jan was the most loving and caring person on the face of this troubled earth. I will never know why God felt it necessary to take this angel from me and everyone else that loved her. I know that time is supposed to heal all wounds, but this wound will never heal. I will hear her words every night when I try to sleep. There we go and Thank You. My sister-in-law Joyce knows the meaning of those simple phrases. Rest in peace Jan. I know you are with all the loved ones that went before you. When the good lord takes me I will I will once again have comfort in your arms, until that time I will always remember you and the treasured times that we shared. I love you Schmoopy and miss you. Rest in Peace!
Aunt Jan, you were such a huge part of my life, words could not even begin to express how I feel about you. I am so blessed that I had a Godmother that I was so close with and that became like a grandmother to my boys. Their memories will always be filled with the love and laughter they shared with you. I see or hear things everyday that remind me of you and while right now that can be painful it also brings me comfort as a reminder your presence is near. Thanks for being a second mother to me, a grandmother to Jaden and Jackson, and not only a sister but a best friend to my mom. I don’t know what we will all do without the light you brought to all of us. Rest in peace my dear aunt, I love you.
Marlin and Jan, you have been our best friends for many years. Jan will be missed beyond imagination. You were always so sweet and compassionate, and always treated everyone with love and respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marlin and the entire Mueller and Yanko families. Marlin, we will always be there for you, I’m sure you know that. The four of us had so many plans and dreams to fulfill, and we will still do many of them. Jan will be with us! For reasons only the good Lord knows, Jan was taken from all of us much too early. We think God needed a special angel for a very significant reason, and he chose Jan. Rest In Peace Jan, we are comforted in the knowledge that you are home! Love, Ken and Nancy
My Ma-Ma Jan was the epitome of kindness and love. All the love that you could give a grandchild, she gave. Of the many days and nights I spent with her as a child, I remember the simple things like the card games (we’d play poker with penny bets), and going to the park to play catch. She threw that ball better than my own dad. She may not have known this, but she taught me how to be a better host. I love that she always cared about how her guests were comfortable and “at home.” I’m going to miss talking about the Cardinals with her – about Yadier Molina’s latest home run blast. She was so strong and now is at peace and living in a beautiful place made for beautiful people. She’s hanging out with God. Love ya Ma-Ma.
We had so many good times together with you and my younger brother Marlin.The many trips to the Outer Banks,4th of July festivals at the Arch, dinners on the Hill, or just hanging out on your deck while Marlin grilled and you made incredible salads. You were always a great hostess. Judy and I will miss you very much. Rest in peace, Jan.
Jan what a great person, always joyful and fun to be around. You sure will be missed by everyone that knew you. You will always be in are thoughts and prayers. I’ll miss your sandwichs and conversation.
My deepest sympathy to Marlin and the Mueller and Yanko families. Jan was a special person. Ann and I shared some good times with Jan and Marlin. Maybe Ann and Jan will share a wine together in heaven.
Our condolences to Marlin, The Yanko and Mueller Families. Janet was such a kind and loving person and we are blessed to call her our friend. We will miss her very much. Our prayers to all of you during this difficult time.
See you in the next one MaMa, we’ll miss you until then.
Janet,
You embodied the heart and soul of the Yanko family;
the flame of generosity and the welcoming glow of a lover of life, family, fun, food, and friends. So much like Alice; so much of Ed.
“FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM, LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED.”
You are forever one of the nine.
Forever my sister, forever my friend.
Forever loved.
Aunt Janet,
You have been a part of all my memories and milestones growing up, and now these past few years the memories of my kids. (Sydney loves seeing Aunt Janny, and PJ got to know your face and calming voice) It is hard to imagine the days ahead without you there, but I am forever thankful to of had such a special, caring, selfless aunt to enjoy all of the these moments. I get so sad thinking about all the things to come and you not be there, but I also laugh at the thought of you and my mom (Joyce) arguing over who’s going to pay the tab, clean the last dish, or who will sneak into the kitchen to get the last wipe down of the counter top that has already been wiped 3 times! I miss you and love you. Rest In Peace Aunt Jan and keep sending your signs.
I’ve know the Yanko family all my life and have such wonderful memories. Janet was beautiful, kind and loving. I’m truly sorry for your loss.
We’re so deeply sorry for your loss. Janet was one of the sweetest, kindest, most compassionate person I’ve ever known. To show the type of person she was you would call to check on how she was doing & she would. turn it around and ask how you and your family were. Marlin you were both very lucky to have found each other the love of your life and have each other for 35+ years. Each of you have wonderful memories and will see little signs that will help you heal in this difficult time. We will all miss her. Love, Debbie & Roland
Marlin our deepest sympathy to you for your loss is indeed great. Jan was a very sweet woman. We will miss her smiling face at those Yanko gatherings and at St. Stephen picnics.
Jan was like a sister to me and confided that she was at peace confirming her faith but was most concerned about Marlin and her family being OK when she was gone .
She loved everyone very much and didn’t want anyone to be worried or sad. I will miss her and will always keep her I’m my heart . Love to Marlin and our whole family
There are no words to explain how much I will miss my loving, selfless, wonderful sister in law Janet. She is the reason Denny and I are together. She has been a friend, confidant, sweet. loving person to me all our lives. My heart breaks but is so grateful to have known and loved such a sweet person. We had many travel plans in the making and I miss you terribly. Watch over us angel from above and come with me on my journeys.
Deepest sympathy. Jan reflected the joy of what it means to be family. A sister’s love lives on in one’s heart forever.
Jan, how I miss you. I am truly heartbroken, and I struggle with the reality that you are gone. You were always there for each of us, and very often, for all of us. Your giving and unselfish character were just two of your many qualities. You always enjoyed our family gatherings, and graciously hosted our large group on many special occasions. Your voice will be missed in the singing of “Happy Birthday” in the Yanko Choir tradition. It is difficult for each of us to imagine our lives, and a future without you there.
I will remember your special personality, your laughter, and the many ways you reminded us of Alice! (Mom) You were a special sister, and I will always miss you.
Some day, when I get there, I’ll look for you, and when I see you, I will say, (the way I always did) …………….. “Hello, Janet”!
Jan – you were always so kind and gracious to us and our children. We thank you for you and Marlin being such good friends to my parents, and we will always remember your generosity and love. We will never forget you being at the hospital to visit when each of our kids were born. We know you’ll watch over us all, and can’t wait to see you again someday.
Aunt Janet,
I’ll always remember you with a smile on your face. Your love, kindness, and compassion will surely live on through all those who were blessed to know you. I will cherish the memories I have with you forever. You were loved by so many and will be greatly missed, but I know that you are at peace now watching over all of us. Rest in peace.
Keeping my Uncle Marlin and the entire Yanko family in my prayers daily. As my Aunt, my Godmother, my Confirmation Sponsor and a woman I shared a June birthday with, she will be greatly missed. What a wonderful gift to this earth! A very long time ago between 8th – 9th grade, I chose to write an essay about an inspirational person in my life. As many young people question what they will become or what they will be when they grow up, I felt compelled to write about my Aunt Janet. Even at that age, I knew that she was independent, she was a smart and successful business woman, and had the kindest heart. I wrote that she is what I wanted to be when I grew up. Janet – I should have told you that and thanked you for being a wonderful role model. You continued to be an inspiration to all of us with your warmth, your strength to fight, your obvious love and devotion to Marlin, your family and grandchildren. I will miss you greatly.
Aunt Janet, my boys and I prayed for you by name every day as you went through your fight. When it was clear that you were soon going to your heavenly home, we prayed for your peaceful passing there. Now every night, we talk to our saint in heaven, and we know she’s watching over us, because she said she would. Thank you, Aunt Janet, for helping us grow in faith, and showing us that our goal on earth is to make it to heaven. Uncle Marlin, we love you and pray for you daily, as you experience the loss of your beloved wife. She will never be forgotten!
When I think back about memories of Aunt Jan, I think of someone who always seemed to embrace life and enjoy it, whether it was stories of when she was young and spontaneously went with friends to the beach with nothing but her toothbrush and a swimsuit, or watching her dance with her sisters at a wedding. Of all her sisters, Aunt Jan was sometimes the most like her mom, Alice, with similar mannerisms and phrases that remind me of Grandma and make me laugh. I love that 🙂
Marlin and family,
We have no words to express how truly sorry we are for your loss. Janet filled so many lives with so much happiness. Yes, we are cousins but, we are sisters at heart. We shared many laughs and tears over the years. Janet will be forever in our hearts and never forgotten. May God grant you peace and comfort in your days ahead. Grant eternal rest upon Janet, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
Jan,
Not only were you and Marlin our best friends but you were also the “Sister” that I never had. I know it has all been said before but you were a very special person that showed compassion and friendliness to everyone around you and always did it with a very genuine smile on your face. Hundreds of cards have been received by the Mueller’s and Yanko’s and everyone goes out of their way to send sincere condolences to one of the kindest persons they ever met(Quite a humbling Tribute to YOU). I am sure you are in a Happy & Peaceful place,please watch over all of us until we meet again. Your Other Brother Lally
Our deepest sympathies go out to Marlin and the entire Yanko and Mueller families. We will always remember Jan as having such a fun loving, kind personality. My parents have so many years of wonderful memories with you both, and we have certainly shared some laughs ourselves. You always loved seeing pictures of our kids and keeping up with their antics, which is just another example of you treating everyone you encountered with love and kindness. Marlin, the Hahn family is always here for you! Jan, I’ll be raising a glass (or let’s be honest, a bottle) of Viognier in your honor.
She was a beautiful and kind lady. We were blessed to have known her for many years. Memories include several weddings, parties and dances-what fun times. Prayers to the Mueller and Yanko families.
I am still in denial, Jan my loved sister is gone, but never forgotten.
She will always remain with us, for my love lives on.
Cherished memories never fade when a love one dies . JAN for me is only a thought away, and I am with her again in spirit.
My memories will allow her to live in my heart forever. I will always remember her smile,laugh,and passion for life.
Until we meet again my beautiful sister.
Brother Ed
Aunt Janet was always smiling, and she had a terrific smile. She and Aunt Joyce were affectionately known by my boys as “the crazy sisters” (in a good way). My heart aches particularly for Uncle Marlin and the Stein family, as well as the extended Yanko family. Aunt Janet “fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.” (2Timothy 4:7).
You are all in my prayers and I cannot wait to celebrate the life of Aunt Janet with all the Yankos.
Jan was always very fun to be around as well as a very kind and generous person. Casey and I and our children were fortunate to have known her. Our parents and Marlin/Jan have been very good friends for many years. The world will miss Jan’s vivacious and kind personality, but we know in faith that she has not left us! We offer our prayers to Jan, Marlin, and all of her family and friends.
My beautiful wonderful loving sister is at peace now and in Gods kingdom.
She touched endless lives, gave of herself and never asked for anything in return. Her Positive spirit, her sense of humor and unforgettable laugh is what I will always remember and cherish. My heart is heavy and I miss you dearly and will always remember you.
Janet was such a special lady. She had such a zest for life and was an inspiration to live life to the fullest. She had such a beautiful smile and contagious laugh. So glad I got to share special times with her, especially our cousins’ Christmas get togethers. These are memories I will treasure forever. Our love and prayers to Marlin, and all the family. Love you Janet, Rest In Peace.
Jan, you were beautiful inside and out. You were kind, loving, full of life, laughs and love. We were all blessed to have you as our sister- you were number 5 🙂
We all had plans for more holidays, vacations, birthdays and lunches; however, that was not in God’s Plan. I think I can speak for all the siblings; we will never be the same without you in our everyday lives.
Our hearts are broken and full of grief; our eyes are full of tears, our lives have been forever changed. Dear Sister, number 5, you will be deeply missed,
Rest in Peace. I love you.
Until we meet again,
MaryAnn – number 3
Jan, Heaven gained another angel when you passed. You, Marlin and the entire family are in our payers. You were a wonderful lady, a loving sister and a great sister in law. Love and miss you forever!!
Jan,
When i joined the Mueller clan many years ago, one of the first people to welcome me was you. You were always a friendly face, and ready with a kind word. When the impossible happened last year, you and Marlin were there that day, offering comfort. I will miss you and wish to see you on the other side.
Marlin – i am thinking of you.
To Marlin and Family.
As a friend of Joyce and Larry, I know how deeply saddened your family is right now. She lived a fun life and fought a hard fight. Jan was the best wife, sister, aunt, godmother and friend and she is missed terribly. I recall many of our high school days when Janet would drive us under-aged teens to get contraband 🙂 She made sure we were careful and stayed safe and she always made time for family. We are blessed to have known her.
There are so many memories of Jan – I mostly recall her smiling face and her willingness to drop whatever she was doing to plan a weekend trip or shopping date with Joyce, her very best friend. She never hesitated to pick up the phone to check on a family member or the Stein grandbabies. Those grands will hold onto the memories and keep her spirit alive. Our time on this earth is so, so short. Stay healthy and take care of yourselves, Marlin, Joyce, Larry, Alisha, Ashley….
I will continue to keep your family in my prayers. Hang in there.
I grew up across the street from the Yanko family. My dad Paul & uncle John went to school with many of the siblings. Jerry you taught my sister Sarah how to tie her shoes out on the curb while washing your car. Craig was a terrific “back up” prom date when mine bailed on me. But one of my Strongest memories is playing with Charmaine as kids, and we would go up to Jan’s room & play dress up. She would let us try on her shoes, and she had the fancy high heels, like real disco dancing shoes. And she was never mad when she caught us in there she would let play with her Jewelry or make up, Joyce too. I think maybe my mom even made Jan & Marlins wedding cake? I’m so sad to hear of this loss and please know the Goldak family (from across the street) is keeping you in our prayers. I’m saddened by this loss & thankful for the wonderful memories of jan & her siblings.
Susan Goldak
Marlin, Tom & I cant tell you how incredibly sad we were when we heard the news. We hold you in our prayers, but we also know you have a beautiful angel watching over you.
Jan, thinking of you, especially today, as all of your love ones come together to celebrate you and all you meant to them. I know you are in the hearts of everyone that knew and loved you. You are missed but I know that you are watching from above.
Jan was my best friend in highschool. I also convinced her to get a job at Western Electric in 1970. I remember all the weekends we spent at the pool during our senior year just hanging out. She was so much fun we rode everywhere in my red corvair and her green nova. Many times we did the Steak and Shake drive through and jack in the box after. We double dated through WE days and she even went with me to my mom and dad’s cabin at lake of the ozarks. We drifted apart when my job went to Atlanta in 87, but did have dinner once when she was in town for a training class. I truly loved her and consider her my best friend ever. It was always so much fun going to her house. Laughter and dancing everywhere especially in the kitchen. Her mom’s favorite song was when a man loves a woman, Percy Sledge. I just found out our Janet is gone so sad. J
It’s been a year, and it’s still hard to accept your absence from our lives. I so miss your smile that could light up a room, and your wonderful ability to see the good in everyone.
I often reminisce about our years together on Toenges, our quarterly honor roll dinner dates, and driving around South St.Louis in December looking at Christmas lights.
While you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. I pray that you have been reunited with Mom, Dad, friends and family, and know that we will never stop celebrating you, and all that you meant to us.
Love you and miss you!