Janowicz Family Funeral Home & Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home

03/13/2026

One of the greatest gifts you can leave your family… is a plan.

In my line of work, I often meet families on one of the hardest days of their lives. Grief is heavy enough on its own. When there are dozens of decisions to make at the same time, it can feel overwhelming.

That’s why more and more people are choosing to preplan their funeral arrangements.

Preplanning doesn’t mean expecting the worst.
It simply means taking care of the details so the people you love don’t have to.

It allows you to:
• Make your wishes known
• Lock in today’s prices
• Remove uncertainty for your family
• Give your loved ones the space to grieve instead of plan

Some people say they’ll “get around to it someday.”
But the truth is… the best time to plan is while life is calm and you can think clearly.

If you’ve ever thought about preplanning, we’re happy to sit down and answer questions. No pressure — just information.

Because how you say goodbye matters.

—
📍 Janowicz Family Funeral Home
Remus, Lakeview, and Edmore
📍 Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home
Big Rapids

03/13/2026

03/12/2026

Working in this industry often reminds us to be more present, more, “in the moment”.

We spend a lot of time with people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, and if you listen closely, you can learn a lot from those who have lived a lot more life than you have. It reminds you how quickly the years really go by.

Because of that, I try to slow down and take things in a little more. Sometimes it’s something simple like breathing in the fresh lake air ( my favorite scent), or just standing there for a minute looking at my kids while they sleep.

Life right now is busy and a little chaotic, and we don’t get out much 🤣 but I often think I’m currently living the best stage of life. My whole family is under one roof, everyone is healthy, and we’re creating memories I know I’ll look back on someday with a smile.

If I’m lucky enough to make it to 90, I know these will be the moments I revisit the most.

Have a blessed day, and remember to slow down and be present in each moment. They won’t last forever. ❤️

03/11/2026

Leroy Ga***rd Vincent Jr., a beloved father, brother, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, in his hometown of Lakeview, Michigan. Born on May 12, 1961, Leroy lived a life filled with love, laughter, and creativity, leaving behind a rich legacy that will be cherished by all who knew him.

Read the obituary of Leroy Ga***rd Vincent Jr from Lakeview, MI. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

03/11/2026

Eddie Arland Bott Jr., 42, of Edmore, unexpectedly passed away at his home on Friday, March 6, 2026. Eddie was born on December 17, 1983, to parents Eddie Bott Sr. and Karen Larie. He attended school in St. Louis, where he later met the love of his life, Samantha. The two were united in marriage on April 29, 2011, and together they were blessed with two beautiful daughters.

Read the obituary of Eddie Arland Bott Jr. from Edmore, MI. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

03/11/2026

One thing I’ve learned over the years in funeral service is this:

Behind every service is a story.

A farmer who worked the same land for 50 years.
A grandmother who never missed a game or school concert.
A veteran who served quietly without ever asking for recognition.

Our job isn’t just organizing services.
It’s helping families honor lives like these in a way that feels meaningful and personal.

Every family deserves that level of care.

And in a small community like ours, it matters even more — because the people we serve aren’t strangers… they’re neighbors, friends, teachers, coaches, and sometimes even family.

It’s an honor we never take for granted.

03/10/2026

After months of ice and snow, it was pretty incredible to see the lake finally open up yesterday.☀️

We took advantage of the 65° afternoon and went for a walk, and before long two of my kids had their shoes off and were playing on the beach like it was the first day of summer. Moments like this remind me how lucky we are to live where we do.

Michigan winters make you appreciate days like yesterday a little more.

Who else got outside and enjoyed the sunshine?

03/09/2026

When someone walks through our doors, there’s a good chance the person helping them is someone they’ve seen around town… at the grocery store, their kids’ school event, the ball field, or church.

Whitney might have gone to school with your cousin.
Joe might have helped coach your kid years ago.
Jessica may have served your family at a funeral before.
Shari, well, shari is probably your relation..🤣

That’s one of the things I love most about being part of a locally owned funeral home.

Our team doesn’t just work here — we live here too.

We run into families at restaurants, at community events, and sometimes months or years later someone will stop us and say thank you again for helping their family.

Those moments mean a lot.

Funeral service is deeply personal work, and I truly believe it matters who is caring for your family.

Around here, it’s people you know and trust

03/08/2026

Thomas Robert O’Neil, 81, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at his home.
He was born June 19, 1944, at home in Morley, Michigan, the son of John and Mary (Buchanan) O’Neil. He graduated from Morley-Stanwood High School in 1962. On July 23, 1966, he married Katherine Moore, and together they made their home in the Stanwood area, where they built a life and raised their family.

Read the obituary of Thomas Robert O'Neil from Big Rapids, MI. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

03/08/2026

Charlene Frances Nowlin, 91, of Big Rapids, Michigan passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Read the obituary of Charlene Francis Nowlin from Big Rapids, MI. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

03/07/2026

One of the hardest conversations we have with families usually starts the same way:

“We never talked about what they wanted.”

In that moment, the people who love them most are left trying to make dozens of decisions while also grieving.

Burial or cremation?
Service or no service?
Where should the obituary go?
What music would they have liked?
What clothes should they wear?

Most families truly want to honor their loved one well… but when those wishes were never discussed, they’re left guessing.

That’s why preplanning is such a gift to your family.

It’s not about expecting something bad to happen.
It’s about making sure the people you love aren’t left with uncertainty during one of the hardest times of their lives.

Preplanning can be as simple as:
• Writing down your wishes
• Choosing burial or cremation
• Deciding what type of service you’d want
• Making sure your family knows where that information is

You don’t have to pay for anything in advance if you don’t want to. And our time spent together discussing your plan is free.

But having a plan in place?

That can make an incredibly difficult time just a little bit easier for the people you care about most.

If you’ve ever said, “My kids will figure it out when the time comes,” it might be worth asking yourself one question:

Would I rather they guess… or know?

Food for thought on this Saturday morning. Call or message us if you’d like to get started.

03/07/2026

John David Henry III, 68, of Byron Center, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026, at The Oaks at Byron Center.

Read the obituary of John David Henry III from Big Rapids, MI. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.