Janes, Gilbert Alan

Gilbert Alan Janes, 64, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in his home following a courageous battle with cancer. The family will greet friends Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lensing's Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Rd. in Coralville. A Celebration of Gil's Life will begin 11 a.m. Monday at First Congregational Church, 361 17th St. SE in Cedar Rapids. Private burial of cremains will be in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City.

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials to the U of I Foundation to benefit U of I Healthcare or to The Indian Creek Nature Center.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com or at http://caring.janesfamily.org.

Gil was born July 7, 1949, to Ralph and Louise Janes, joining his older sister, Connie. Gil graduated from City High in 1967 and married his high school sweetheart, Donna Hardwick, on Nov. 3, 1968. In 1972, he received his civil engineering degree from the University of Iowa and worked most of his career for HR Green. After almost 33 years, he was still very active and influential in the company and the engineering community.

Gil was a strong supporter of his family, leading his family on camping and hiking vacations across the United States. Favorite trips included climbing Half Dome in Yosemite National Park and Mount Everest Base Camp. Gil enjoyed many sailing trips on the Great Lakes with his family and weekends with his wife and family at their cottage in Wisconsin. He loved cheering for the Hawkeyes and partaking in Iowa vs. Iowa State rivalry sporting events.

Gil leaves his wife, Donna Janes; and his sons, Greg Janes of Cedar Rapids and Geoff Janes and wife Jill, and granddaughters, Grace and Madelyn, of Ames. Also surviving Gil are his sister, Connie Armstrong and husband Otis of Muscatine; and their daughter, Brooke Armstrong, currently of Kiso, Japan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Louise Janes.

Published Nov. 22, 2013 in The Gazette