Janice Eugenia Smirles

Janice Eugenia Smirles, 79, of Davenport, IA, died Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, Davenport, IA.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2017 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 – 31st Avenue, Rock Island, IL.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2017, with a Trisagion Service at 6:30p.m., at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, 6601-38th Avenue Moline, IL.  Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church.

Janice was born November 18, 1937, in Rock Island, IL, the daughter of William & Katina Petros Smirles.

She was employed as a teacher’s aide at Washington Elementary School in Davenport and later as a computer operator at John Deere, Davenport Works.

Janice was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Rock Island, where she played the organ, taught Sunday School, and organized and ran the gift shop.  She also made memorial trays for years.

She was a craft volunteer at the East Village Windows and was a member of the Toast Masters with Deere.

She was Ridgecrest Volunteer of the Year.  She also instructed Greek cooking classes at Scott Community College.  She participated in many social activities and was a cake decorator, making many wedding and sheet cakes.

Janice was the biggest cheerleader for her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and never missed one of their school or sporting events.  She was known as “Yia Yia.”

Survivors include:

Son                              Bill (Cindy) Sweeney                         Davenport

Daughter                     Liz (Don) Dorton                                Davenport

Grandchildren             Michael (Maja) Dorton                       Davenport

Stephanie Dorton                                Davenport

Joe Dorton                                          Davenport

Sara (Jared DeGeeter) Dorton             Cedar Falls

Tommy Dorton                                   Davenport

Lauren Sweeney                                 Davenport

Kory Sweeney                                    Davenport

Great Grandchildren               Zoey Dorton, Deaken Dorton, Levi Dorton

Beloved Nieces                       Mary Kay (Steve) Eckert                    Moline

Margurerite (Richard) Nelson            Moline

Nephews                                 Ted Spurgetis                                      Rock Island

Bill (Cheri) Smirles                             Deerfield, IL

Great- Nephews                      Jayme Eckert (Sara & Brecken)         Moline

Jonathan Smirles                                 Melbourne Florida

Great- Nieces                          Georgena (Ben) Barnes                      Urbandale, IA

Mary Kate (James) Fisher                   Chicago

Great-great nephew                George Barnes                                    Urbandale, IA

Henry Barnes                                      Urbandale, IA

The family wishes to thank the staff of Ridgecrest Nursing Center for their excellent care.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Estelle G. Spurgetis; and brother, James Smirles.

Memories may be shared at esterdahl.com