Janet Carol Hilligoss

Janet Carol (Sommerfeldt) Hilligoss, 62, of Reelsville, passed away on April 17, 2014 at St. Vincent Clay Hospital with her family by her side, after a long fought battle with cancer.

Janet was born Nov. 9, 1951 in Indianapolis, the daughter of the late Adolth and Elsie (Day) Sommerfeldt.

She was a member of Lawrence Central High School graduating class of 1970. Janet married the love of her life, Scott Hilligoss, on Sept. 1, 1973.

Janet worked at RCA on East 30th Street in Indianapolis. She then was manager of Movie Land through the mid '90s. Following that she worked at Little Lambs Day Care Center.

She enjoyed drawing and bird watching, especially hummingbirds. Her greatest passion was being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her family and the children of Little Lambs Day Care Center.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Janet is survived by her husband of 40 years, Scott Hilligoss; children David Hilligoss and wife Kathy, Bryan Hilligoss and Emily Hilligoss; grandchildren Jaysen Hilligoss, Kaylee Hilligoss, Coagan Stewart, Megan Pittsenbarger and Bradley Neese; great-granddaughter Trinity Nichols; brother Adolth Frederick Sommerfeldt; sister Julia Sayers; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family and friends.

Services will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at French Funeral Home with Pastor Alan M Farmer officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Per her request cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riley Children's Foundation, 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3509, in honor of Janet Hilligoss and her brother-in-law Steven Hilligoss.

Visit www.frenchfuneralhome.com to light a candle in her remembrance.

Once upon a time I was floating in a sea of despair and loneness and I came upon a rock. Upon this rock was a life preserver. This rock threw the life preserver to me and pulled me in. It said come and stand upon me. It saved my life at that time. Later on, many times I have fallen off that rock and drifted away. Then came the life preserver and it pulled me in again. Many years I did not understand what this life preserver meant. Until one year I became sober and drug free, I realized what this rock and life preserver meant. The rock was my wife Janet and the life preserver was her heart. She would not let this go and she was always pulling me in. And now, this is what I believe, God is the rock and the life preserver is Jesus. So if you're lying out there and that rock and life preserver are out there and they come to you take it in. Allow them in your life because you will not regret it. For everyone that reads this take it to heart and may God bless you. Thank you.