Janice L. Irwin

Janice Lynn (Vermette) Irwin, age 73, of Millington, Michigan, passed away October 7, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on April 6, 1952 in Goodrich, Michigan, Janice grew up in a close-knit community and graduated from Brandon High School, class of 1970. She married the love of her life, Fred, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and countless adventures.

Janice worked as a unit secretary for Pontiac General and Beaumont Hospitals. She also enjoyed working in the food industry. Her culinary talents shone through as she catered many events, including many for the Eagles and Lions Clubs. A proud member of the Second Eagles, she brought people together through her food, fun, and vibrant personality. She was also a spirited karaoke performer in her earlier years — never shy with a microphone and always ready to light up the room.

Janice loved the outdoors and cherished her time camping at Old Orchard Park, and later on, in Petoskey, in her homemade, tiny home. She hosted unforgettable Halloween parties and organized magical winter moonwalks along West River Drive in Gladwin. A creative and community-minded soul, she volunteered at the Gladwin Carriage Festival, sold homemade gingerbread across northern Michigan, and brought joy to many with one of her more whimsical creations, Tripp and Dixie’s — a jazz-themed pontoon that roamed Higgins Lake selling treats to boaters.

Later in life, she and Fred found their perfect home, which she nicknamed ‘front and center,’ in the quaint village of Millington, Michigan — a place she truly loved for its sidewalks, streetlights, and small-town charm. She often enjoyed local festivals, the town’s annual car show and parade, which passed right in front of their home, as well as every single one of the many hundreds of trick-or-treaters who visited on Halloween. She was also a proud volunteer at the Millington Historical Society and a regular at McPherson’s for breakfast. Janice enjoyed visiting nearby Frankenmuth for its festivals, flowers, and food!

One of her favorite shared joys with Fred was taking spontaneous road trips along what they lovingly called the “casinic” route — stopping at as many casinos as they could, making memories and mischief along the way.

Janice is survived by her husband of 54 years, Fred; daughters Rebecca Rossio, Sarah Irwin, and Jennifer Irwin; grandchildren Brooke Rossio, Mitchell Rossio, Matthew Herring, and Aliyah Jordan; and great-grandchildren Paisley and Silas. She also leaves behind her loving sisters Christine [Dan], Sandra Simonson, Carla [George] Petherbridge, and Rhonda [Larry] Gray, as well as many beloved sisters and brothers in-law, and nieces and nephews. Janice was preceded in death by her parents Charles Wilfred Vermette and Phyllis Jean (Beecher) Vermette.

Her warmth, creativity, and sense of fun touched the lives of many and will live on in the memories of those who knew and loved her.

A celebration of Janice’s life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth in the Brahms room. Refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Delta Public Media at www.deltabroadcasting.org.

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Janice and her family are in the care of Hanlin Funeral Home - Millington. Address: 4823 Main St, Millington, MI 48746. Phone (989) 871-4591.

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