Janet Sue Dickinson

Janet Sue Dickinson, 81, of Garfield, Arkansas, formerly of Springfield, passed away on September 26, 2017 in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born on October 27, 1935 in Springfield to George Bisch Penneman and Gladys Helen Mester. Janet is survived by her husband of 35 years Dorian Dickinson. Janet is also survived by her children: Candace (David) Conrad of Cape Girardeau, MO, Stephen (Catherine) Lyons of Spring, TX, and Stephanie (Charles) Olsen of Lisle, IL, five grandchildren: Dakota (Mallory) Conrad, Nicole and Justin Lyons, Matthew Bojorquez, Camilla (Steve) Blackwelder and two step daughters: Sue Ellen (Barry) Allison and Rebecca (Manuel) Bojorquez.

After graduating from Lanphier High School, Janet attended the University of Illinois where she met her first husband Edmund Lyons. They moved to Japan where Janet taught English and Math. When they returned to the US, she took a teaching position at Pawnee High School. After receiving her Master’s in Library Science from Rosary College in River Forest, IL, she became a librarian for Sangamon State University and then a Government Documents Librarian for the Illinois State Library retiring after more than a decade of service.

Upon retirement in 1987, Janet and Dorian moved from Petersburg, IL to Garfield, AR where they built their dream home on Beaver Lake. She enjoyed swimming, cooking, quilting, gardening, and bird watching.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30am on Thursday October 5, 2017 at Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 East Allen Street, with burial to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 10:00am until the time of service Thursday at Bisch and Son. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com.