Jane Arlene Stites, 94, died on Friday, June 8, 2025 at 4:19 a.m. at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis from complications of a fall at Garden Place Assisted Care Facility in Waterloo, IL.
Born February 7, 1932, in Alton, she was the daughter of Ray Dell and Edna Mae (Mitchell) Byers. Jane married James A. Stites on Dec. 6, 1951, in Alton. They celebrated 66 years of marriage before his passing on February 7, 2018.
Mrs. Stites graduated from Graham Jr. College in St. Louis and was employed by Alton Memorial Hospital as a Lab Technician until she and her husband Jim began their family.
She loved her homegrown tomatoes, flowers, and playing Bridge with friends. Besides raising her three children, in her free time she volunteered playing the piano and crocheting lap blankets for area care facilities. She was known for her great yard sale finds and for her holiday Jello’s. Everyone she met became a friend.
Those remaining to cherish her memory are her daughter, Rev. Laura Renault of Hubbard, IA, her granddaughter, Dr. Simone Renault of San Francisco, CA , two sons, Roger Stites, and Dave Stites (Beth) of Waterloo, IL, and two grandsons, Jordan Stites of Bloomingdale, IL and Jordan Stites of Creve Cour, MO.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim, her parents and her brother, Donny. We give thanks to God for her life among us.
A private burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Godfrey in the fall.
Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
