Obituary of Janet Lois Paton

Paton, Janet

Owosso, Michigan

Janet (Jan) Paton (Hyer, Elliott) passed away on April 9, 2025, at the age of 83. She was born on December 13, 1941, in Modesto, California. Her parents, Elmer and Evelyn Hyer, preceded her in death. She is survived by her four children: Karis Elliott, Kevin (Wenda) Elliott, Kaylene (Thomas) Bush, and Kraig (Anne) Elliott. She had 12 grandchildren, Benjamin, Marieve (Ben), Ethan (Kelsey), Rosalie, Allyssa, Arik, Kaitlyn (Brenden), Andrew (Rebekah), Kiersten, Kandice, Kacey, and Alistair. She also had one great-grandchild, Theodore (Teddy Bear). 

Jan grew up on a dairy farm in central California. Her parents introduced her to church and to the Lord at an early age. She accepted Christ as her Savior in her elementary years and made a decision to follow Him in full-time service while in junior high. She went to Western Baptist Bible College to pursue a career in Christian Ministry. While there, she met her future husband, Terry Elliott, and they married in 1962. During their 28 years together, they worked as Home Missionaries with Baptist Church Planters (formerly Fellowship of Baptists for Home Missions and Baptist Missions of North America). They started over five new churches in their years together before the Lord took Terry home to heaven in 1990. Jan loved serving the Lord in the areas of children’s ministry, music (piano, organ, voice), hosting guests, and faithfully supported her pastor husband.

In 1994, she married William Paton and continued serving with him in a similar ministry at four churches. They retired in 2010 and moved to Missionary Acres, but that did not stop her desire to serve the Lord. She continued teaching Sunday School, working in Kids' Club and youth group, and playing piano/organ for church services. Bill passed away in 2017. Right up until her homegoing to heaven, she faithfully prayed and supported her church family.

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Thursday, April 17, 2025, 11:00 am, at Graham Church, 7320 W Beard Rd, Perry, MI 48872.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial donations to Camp Hosanna, to provide scholarships for children desiring to go to Bible Camp. Please make checks payable to Karis Elliott, designated for Camp Hosanna scholarships. Mail to 416 Jennett St., Owosso, MI 48867.

 Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan. To sign an online guest book, please visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com.