Janice Stites Obituary

September 29, 2024, Janice (Handlin) Stites, 86, of Hill City, Kansas passed away in Wichita joining her beloved husband, Dennis. Janice was born February 25, 1938, to Herman and Agnes (Hudson) Handlin on a farm in Ellsworth County, Kansas. She began her school years at Trivoli Country School through eighth grade. Janice then attended Geneseo High School. Following high school graduation, she enrolled at Fort Hays State for one year. While there she met her future husband Dennis Stites of Hill City. Janice and Dennis were married September 29, 1957, in Geneseo. The couple made their home in southern Graham County.
In addition to being a busy farmer's wife, Janice was the mother of two active children, Sandy and Roger. She was an avid gardener. Janice took great satisfaction in canning the fresh vegetables that she had grown. Besides helping with 4H, she was a very involved member of EHU. As a longtime member of the local Eastern Star Chapter, Janice held numerous local, district and state positions within the Order. She also served as Mother Advisor for the Rainbow Girls.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by a son Roger Stites (Mary) of Birmingham, Alabama; a daughter Sandy Jones (Dennis) of Edmond, Oklahoma; three grandchildren: Taylor Jones, of Wichita, Riley Jones, and Jay (Kate) Peterson of Edmond, Oklahoma; five great grandchildren: Cooper, Presley, Myles, Skylar and Grace Peterson, all of Edmond, Oklahoma; and a sister Darlene Rush (Kermit) of Ellsworth, Kansas.
Visitation - Friday, October 4, 2024, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill City, Kansas, with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service - Saturday, October 5, 2024, 10:30 a.m. at Stinemetz Funeral Home. Memorials – Donor's Choice may be sent to Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, KS 67642.
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