Former Clinton County Business Owner and Foster Mother of 30 Children, Janet Pillion, Passes

Janet K. Pillion, 89, of Frankfort, passed away September 14, 2025 at I.U. Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette, IN.  She was born May 20, 1936 in South Bend, IN to Forest E. & Evelyn Esther (Emmons) Campbell.  She was previously married to James J. Pillion and he preceded her in death.

Janet grew up in South Bend and was a 1954 graduate of South Bend Riley High School before moving to Frankfort that year. She worked at Mallorys for 10 years and then was owner/operator of Stevenson’s Fabricare, a dry-cleaning business, retiring in 2005. Janet attended the First Church of the Nazarene.  She was active in the community, receiving the Community Freedom Award from Howard Regional Mental Health in 2010, WILO Random Act of Kindness in 2009, was Clinton County GEM in 2008 and Scroll of Honor Award from brothers and sisters.

Janet is survived by her children, Barbara (Jim) Holliger of Lynn, IN, Jennifer Pillion of Pendleton, IN, Randy (Judy) Pillion of Frankfort, Ronnie (Melody) Pillion of Cary, NC, Lori (Fred) Baltrusis of Spooner, WI, Michelle (Jordan) Sturm of Austin, TX, Sam and Nate Phillips both of Washington State, Marci (Will) McClamrock of Fayetteville, AR,  Sherah (Zach) Albright of Lafayette Ashley Miller of Frankfort, daughter-in-law, Joyce Pillion of Buchanan, VA,  brother, Norman Campbell of Gayville, SD, and twin-sister, Janice Richardson of Frankfort, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 3 great great-grandchildren and 30 additional foster children.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Paul Pillion, sisters Chloris, Avis Arlene and brother, Richard.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. ~ 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 2056 E. Washington St., Frankfort.  Funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. at the church.  Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Life Today, envelopes will be available. Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort is assisting the family with arrangements.  Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence.

Editor’s Note:  It is a little known fact much of Pillion’s giving was done anonymously.  It was not unusual in our community for a non-profit to say “where did THAT come from?” and many never knew it was Janet who gave.  I take the liberty to share this information only because Pillion was a good friend our family and radio station and I don’t think she would be too upset at me to share this with you.  We just thought it would add to the lasting legacy of this wonderful Christian lady.  I would also like to add Janet, along with Charlie Stevenson, was the first donor for Camp Cullom’s Prairie Grass Observatory, giving $10,000.   One of Janet’s grandchildren, Nathan Pillion, was responsible for the design, fundraising and construction of the 24 hole Disc Golf course at Camp Cullom, very likely the largest single Eagle Scout Project in the history of Crossroads of America Council (3500 hours).