Janet M. Silaff

Janet M. (Terry) Silaff, age 99, of Leroy, passed away late Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2016 at her residence. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2016 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald, with Rev. Mike Ashcraft officiating. Burial will follow at Gerald Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Janet was born May 16, 1916 in Aquilla, the daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Matheny) Terry. She attended Axtell Elementary School. After moving to Hallsburg, she was a graduate of Riesel High School where she was a star basketball player. She then attended Polytechnic School of Business in Ft. Worth. She then moved to Leroy where she worked for her sister and brother-in-law in their grocery store and met the love of her life. On December 15, 1938 she was united in marriage to William F. "Bill" Silaff Sr. in Waco. Bill preceded her in death on June 1, 1984. Janet was the first Postmaster in Leroy, a position she held for 32 years before retiring. She was a very faithful member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald, where she was active in the Women's Guild, served on the church council, was the church secretary and sang in the choir. Janet also served on the first Leroy City council. She enjoyed oil painting, dancing, sewing and doing crafts. Janet is also preceded in death by her parents; a son, William F. Silaff Jr. and his wife Geneiva; brothers, Roy Terry, Jack Terry, Edwin Terry, Morton Terry and Fontaine Terry; and sisters, Etta Dell Raborn, Winnie Terry, Vera Gerlich and Mary Katherine Schneider. Survivors include her children, Barbara Kusler and husband Richard of Leroy and Don Silaff and wife Pam of Nevada, TX; grandchildren, Terri Stephens and husband Glen, Matt Silaff, Mandy Priddy and husband Brandon, Shannon Morris and wife Jamie, Blake Morris and wife Jennifer, Donald Kusler and wife Mary, Wade Kusler and wife Jan, Kerry Chapman, Michael Kusler and wife Angela and Keith Kusler and wife Julie; 24 great- grandchildren; a great great grandson and another on the way; a devoted caregiver, Donna Whiting; a sister-in-law, Anne Terry; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Mike Kusler, Keith Kusler, Glen Stephens, Hayden Stephens, Tanner Stephens and Justin McCullough. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald.