Janice Pullen
Alton | Save
Janice Kaye (Glenn) Pullen, 79, passed away at 12:05 a.m. on August 9, 2016. She was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, cousin, and friend.
Janice was born July 28, 1937 in Alton, IL to Mildred (Emmerson) Glenn and James LeRoy Glenn. Later, her mother married Stanley Roth Veatch, who became her beloved “Daddy”.
She graduated from Alton High School in 1955 and through the years kept her school friends in touch with each other, organizing class reunions from 1965 until 2010. Janice began working in 1953 at Woolworth’s in downtown Alton. After graduating, she attended classes at Bradley University, and upon returning home from college, she was employed by the Bank of Alton. Later, she worked as a bookkeeper for Gent Funeral Home and then TK Carpet Gallery before retiring.
Janice met the love of her life, Joseph R. “Russ” Pullen, at the Alton Halloween Parade in 1960. The couple was married on February 17, 1961 by the Reverend William Kimbrough at Elm Street Presbyterian Church. They remained happily wed and an inseparable team for 53 years before Joseph passed away in November 2014.
Through the years, Janice enjoyed painting with acrylics and oils, tearing up a dance floor, volunteering as a room mother at McKinley School, reading, camping, serving in her church, finding homes for abused and unwanted pets, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs. She and Russ were RV enthusiasts who enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. and Canada with their son, Tom, and later with their grandchildren. The two of them also enjoyed serving as greeters at Faith Fellowship Church every Sunday morning because they loved meeting people, and they always had a special way of making newcomers feel welcome. Janice served for many years as a board member and active volunteer at the 5A’s Animal Shelter, an organization whose cause was dear to her heart. She loved helping animals, and she loved to help anyone in need. Janice was a surrogate mom and grandma to many and was always available to offer loving advice and encouragement.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Russ; stepson, Kevin Pullen; and brother-in-law, Rev. Fred Beck.
She is survived by her son, Thomas, and daughter-in-law, Jamie (Beckman) Pullen; her grandchildren, Jacob and Sarah Pullen; her sister-in-law, Mary Lou Beck; and her daughter-in-law, Judy Pullen Halbruegge, of Tamarac, FL.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of services at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Faith Fellowship in Alton with Dr. Daymond Talkington officiating. Private burial will take place Friday, August 12, 2016.
Memorials may be given to 5A’s Animal Shelter or Faith Fellowship.
Online guestbook can be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
