Janet Arlene Kranstuber June 27, 1926 – June 11, 2026 Janet & Bill - Together Again Janet Arlene Kranstuber (née Gessert), a long-time resident of Brecksville and Sagamore Hills, Ohio, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, at the age of 99.9, just 16 days shy of her 100th birthday. Born and raised in Cleveland, Janet was the cherished only child of Olive and Charles Gessert. Growing up in the challenging depression era, she found joy in her friendships and possessed a vibrant spirit and a love of big band music, dancing, and sports. At 16 years old, Janet met the love of her life, William "Bill" Kranstuber. They were wed on May 18, 1944, right before Bill was deployed with the U.S. Army during World War II. Janet joined him at stations in Memphis, Tennessee, and Bastrop, Texas, forging deep, lifelong bonds with fellow military families before Bill was sent to Okinawa. Following the war, they returned to Northeast Ohio, eventually building their dream home in Brecksville in 1950. There, Janet raised her greatest pride and joy: her four sons. Janet created a lively home overflowing with love, noise, and laughter. The house was filled with the sounds of ping-pong, backyard golf games, and visiting friends and neighbors. Janet was active in her community, co-founding a local tap and ballet dance school in 1964 and gracing the stage of church and local theater productions. She also worked for many years as a secretary in the Brecksville school system. In retirement, Janet and Bill enjoyed traveling with friends and family, exploring England, France, Italy, and Spain, escaping winters in Myrtle Beach, and attending Cleveland Indians Spring Training in Florida. They enjoyed tennis, golf, swimming, and quiet evenings on the patio watching hummingbirds with a glass of wine for Janet and a Manhattan for Bill, surrounded by their beloved dogs. Above all, Janet loved her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother, taking every opportunity to spoil them. Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, with whom she shared 71 years of marriage. She leaves a beautiful, lasting legacy through her four sons: David (Betty), Tom (Cheryl), Chuck (Jill), and Scott (Nancy). She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Today, there are 38 of us who owe our lives to Janet. Janet lived a life defined by unwavering love for her family, a quick wit, and a wonderful sense of fun. Her family takes great comfort in knowing she is reunited with her beloved Bill, dancing the jitterbug once again. A Celebration of Janet's Life will be held at a later date. She will be laid to rest alongside Bill at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Janet's name to PAWS Ohio, Animal Welfare Society – a no-kill, nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and adopting cats and dogs in Northeast Ohio at https://www.pawsohio.org/donations .