Janet Nell Croft, 79, of Hillsboro died Feb. 24, 2021, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Croft was an elementary school teacher and counselor, social worker and in-home therapist who also managed a restaurant with her husband. She earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University in Los Angeles and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She enjoyed family get-togethers, genealogy, playing piano, reading, traveling, decorating, gardening and feeding or watching birds. Born March 2, 1941, in Pilot Knob, she was the daughter of the late Christena (Thomlison) and Thomas Russell Archer of Ironton.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years: Bill Croft; four daughters: Chris (Ken) Croft Crossland of Winter Springs, Fla., Jolene (Tim) Blecha of Festus, Jana Croft of Lake Worth, Fla., and Cantada (Clint) Coaley of Festus; a son: Cory Croft of Clearwater, Fla.; seven grandchildren: Nicholas (Erin) and Justin Blecha, Alexa (Cedric Whitehead) and Briana Lambert, Callan Crossland and Sawyer and Landry Partney; four great-grandchildren: Emma, Ava and River Blecha and Denver Whitehead; three brothers: Jerry (the late Juanita) Archer of Piedmont, Tom (Connie) Archer of Arcadia Valley, Jinks (Martha) Archer of Ironton and Al (Mary) Archer of Ironton; a sister: Pam (Kenny) Sherrill of Ironton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 515 W. Main St., in Festus, followed immediately by services officiated by Pastor Pete Ruble. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, in Arcadia Valley Cemetery in Ironton. Memorials may be made to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.