Birth date: Mar 27, 1953 Death date: Oct 13, 2025
Elizabeth Jane Shepherd, 72, of Big Rapids passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025. She was born on March 27, 1953, in Royal Oak, MI, the daughter of Charles and Doris (Kreager) Wiedman. “Janie” attended Our Lady of Sorrows Read Obituary
We had a tradition of 1 yellow rose met I love you and I am thinking of you. In bad times like a death of a parent. And so to do it 1 final time for you Janie, I have lit a yellow candle in your honor my friend. Because I do and I am.
I worked with Janie for over 20 years at the hospital. We hit it off right away. Through the years our families did lots of things together and made many memories. I remember Janie always being there for a lot of my happy moments and later on, many of many sad ones too. I considered her a true blue friend and I hope, she thought the same of me.
As her older brother (just 16 months apart in age), Jane and I had a lot of similar experiences... especially in our late teens. And I was always proud of Jane working her way through Ferris State while paying for her own place to live in Big Rapids... even though I often jokingly referred to the converted apartment she lived in as a "fire trap!" After our parents passed away, Jane's home in Rodney became the family's gathering place on a great many holidays; and I always looked forward to spending Christmas there (and the decorations, turkey dinner, festivities, and gift exchange that she organized year after year)! NOTE: As her kids got married and 8 grandkids followed, the Christmas "logistics" became more complicated; but Jane always managed each new challenge. Of mom & dad's seven kids, I always thought that Jane (as the healthiest of the bunch) would outlive us all. But God had other plans for her. While her physical presence has left us, she will live on forever in our memories!
Tim Wiedman
Ionia, Michigan
We used to play "cards" with her and Mike monthly up until 2020. It was always a fun night of joking, telling stories, and occasionally playing cards. My daughter and her husband came one night, as they had "nothing better to do"...and were surprised how much fun "old people" could be! Janie was always bright and bubbly and bragged about her grandkids. She will be missed by many!! Prayers for the family.
Love you,
Denise Jacobs
I remember meeting Janie at the hospital. She was passionate about her kids. What a great gal!
