Janice Carole (Witek) Shonka, October 20, 1943 – October 16, 2017. Janice was a resident of Naperville who passed away peacefully in the presence of her family from complications of pneumonia.
Janice was born in Chicago and moved to Lisle at a young age. She attended elementary school at St. Joan of Arc in Lisle from 1949-1957. She went on to graduate from high school at Sacred Heart (Benet) Academy in 1961. In 1960 she was awarded the title Miss Lisle. In February 1979, a car accident left her confined to a wheelchair, but she continued to live life to the fullest, relocating to Las Vegas in the 1980’s. She returned to Lisle in 1994 to live with family before moving to her own apartment in 2001. In 2010 she moved into Meadowbrook Manor in Naperville.
Janice enjoyed bowling, music, crocheting, painting and anything artistic. She contributed to the conservancy of wolves. She was very good at writing poetry. Janice was an amazing woman who rose above the obstacles in her way, touching many lives and will be greatly missed.
Janice is survived by her siblings, Diane (Robert) Bandelow, Stanley Witek Sr., Martin (Jan) Witek; her daughters Jennie (Carel) Koch, Christine (Daren) Mazier, Laura (Paul) Baynes, and Carol-Jo Shonka; her nieces and nephew Barbara Bandelow, Sara (Tim) Sweeney, Stanley Witek Jr.; her grandchildren Stephanie, Mary, Colleen, Matthew, Adam, Katrina, Kyle, Emily, Anika, Claire and great nephew, William. She was preceded in death by her parents, Adam and Marie Witek.
A private service will be held with the family, who wishes to thank Meadowbrook Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation and Edward Hospital for their care and support.
