Janet Ruth McKissock, 73, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, FL. She was the daughter of the late Thomas E. and Maxine F. DeGolyer Hart. She was born May 23, 1950, in Gowanda, NY, grew up in North Tonawanda, NY, and was raised in the Methodist tradition. She attended Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, NY and received her B.S. degree from State University of New York at Fredonia. She earned an M.Ed. degree from Florida A&M University and was a national board-certified teacher. Over the course of her career, she taught in elementary schools in New York, Illinois, and Florida.

Janet made Lake City her home for thirty-four years after moving here from Aurora, IL. She taught at Eastside Elementary School in Lake City, retiring in 2015. She loved animals and enjoyed reading, spending time at her pool, going to the beach, and watching the cardinals in her yard. One of her favorite things was going on vacations with her daughter Leslie. She had a wonderful sense of humor and always enjoyed a good joke. The color blue, polka dots, and flowers were special to her.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Leslie McKissock, Wesley Chapel, FL; sister Alice Krull (Jeffrey) Ft. Wayne, IN; sister-in-law Dawn Kellam (Kenneth) Lake City, FL; nieces Shannon McKissock (Evan Partin) Jacksonville, FL; Jamie Meeks (Shaun) Lake City, FL; and Marla Peters, Ft Wayne, IN; nephew Robert Krull (Ozlem) Lake Worth, FL; an aunt, cousins, and great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Janet will be conducted on October 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, with Reverend AAron Ankeny officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be a half hour prior to the service. Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3596 S US HWY 441, Lake City, FL 32025, is in charge of all arrangements. Please leave words of encouragement and condolences for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.

Janet was deeply loved by her family and they will always remember her. In memory of Janet's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Lake City Humane Society, 1392 NW Shelter Glen, Lake City, FL 32055, or an animal care organization of your choice.