Janet Elaine Barden

 JANET ELAINE BARDEN

Janet E. Barden, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away unexpectedly in Florida on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, surrounded by her six children. She was born on January 25, 1932 in Kingston to Stewart and Esther (Wenzlaff) Shotwell. Janet was raised in Pontiac before returning to Kingston at the age of fourteen, where she would build a life deeply rooted in family, love and community.

Janet devoted her early adult life to being a stay-at-home mother, working tirelessly to care for her family. Her home was always filled with warmth, love, and celebration—especially during the holidays, when she enjoyed decorating both inside and out. Janet loved entertaining and welcoming others into her home.

At age fifty, Janet entered the workforce, where she was employed at the Kingston High School cafeteria and later worked as a product demonstrator at Shop-Rite in Caro. She brought the same dedication and joy to her work as she did to her family life.

Janet had a love for dancing—especially the jitterbug—she enjoyed dancing with her cousins Louie Wenzlaff and Barbara Sullivan and also liked swimming and shopping, particularly when spent with her three daughters, Pam, Jayne, and Jill. She loved fashion right up to the very end and was known for her style and grace.

Janet’s life was marked by both profound loss and enduring love. On November 19, 1953, she tragically lost her first husband and first love, Donald D’Arcy Lyons, who was accidentally shot while deer hunting at the age of twenty-two. From that marriage came two children, Randy and Pam Lyons. Janet was later blessed to find love again with John James Barden of Kingston and from that marriage came four children, Jayne, Tim, and twins Jack and Jill. They shared an extraordinary seventy-one years of marriage and raised a large, loving family. For the past twenty years, Janet and John spent their winters at their home in Boynton Beach, Florida, creating many cherished memories together.

Janet is survived by her children: Donald “Randy” (Karla) Lyons of Kingston; Pamela Lyons (Dave) Zyrowski of Caro; Jayne Barden Houghton of Essexville; Timothy Barden of Kingston; Jill Barden (Tim) Henley of Clarkston; and Jack (Dodie) Barden of Chicago, Illinois; thirteen grandchildren: Lance Lyons; Erik, Andrew, and Aron Kovacs; Brent and Chelsey Houghton; Berlin, James, and Bailey Barden; Grant and Brock Henley; and Jack W. Barden, as well as many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John James Barden, on August 25, 2025; her parents, granddaughter, Liberty Lyons; sisters: Bonnie Barrons and Betty Shough.

A Memorial to celebrate Janet's life is planned for Saturday January 31, 2026 from 1-4pm at Beagio's in Kingston