Janet E. DeByle, age 82, of Rhinelander, died peacefully Sept. 25, 2016. She was born Oct. 3, 1933 in Rhinelander to James and Gladys (Roach) Cleary. She attended schools here graduating from the Rhinelander High School in 1951. Janet then attended and graduated from Stephens College in Columbia Missouri with a degree in teaching.

Every bit of Janet’s being was Rhinelander. As a child her family owned and operated two of Rhinelander’s staples; Cleary’s Milk and Ice Creamand the Claridge Motor Inn. She remained involved with the Claridge until just a short time ago. After her schooling she married DeWayne “Speck” DeByle. As a result, two other staples of Rhinelander, DeByles Clothing Stores and DeByles Real Estate, became a big part of her life. Janet was also involved with Windy Hills Farm and owned and operated the Learning Tree Day School Nursery.

Janet was a lifelong member of the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. She was involved in both the church and Nativity school activities her entire life. She also enjoyed volunteering at the nursing homes and as a Pink Lady. She loved cooking, shopping, politics, the Dairy Queen, SNOW, and of course the Green Bay Packers. She loved to walk, even in the snow, and she had a real passion for the arts, especially music. She took pride in her Irish roots.

Above all else, Janet’s family was first in her life. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband; her three daughters, Luanne Balinski of Sparta, N.J., Kathy (Terry) Miller of Eagan, Minn., and Jean (Steve) Dietz of St. Helena Island, S.C., her son Thomas (Lisa) DeByle of Windham, N.H. and her twelve grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Thomas Cleary.

Visitation for Janet will be Friday, Sept. 30 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, with Father Randy Knauf officiating.   Interment will follow in the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established for the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School and may be directed to her family. You may leave your private condolences for the DeByle family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is handling the arrangements for the DeByle family.