Janice Marie Ohnen Sonneman Obituary
Janice Marie Ohnen Sonneman, 88, of St. Joseph, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered as a gifted artist and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She filled her days with paint on the canvas, flowers in the garden and meals with her family and friends.
Born September 1, 1937, in Sterling, Illinois, to Marie and Edward Ohnen, Jan was the youngest of six children. She was active in school clubs, an avid horseback rider in her youth, and a 1955 graduate of Sterling High School. In 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Ron Sonneman, at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sterling, Ill. The two began their life together in Fort Lee, Virginia, during Ron’s military service, where they welcomed their first daughter, Ronda. They later returned to Illinois, settling in the suburbs outside of Chicago and growing their family with the addition of son Grant and daughter Julie. In 1978, Jan and Ron made Stevensville, MI their home, where they became deeply rooted in the community.
Jan’s love of gardening and painting defined much of her life. A Master Gardener and active member of local garden clubs, her own garden was featured in the 1994 St. Joseph–Stevensville Garden Club Tour. She enjoyed golfing at Berrien Hills Golf Club and playing tennis at South Shore Health & Racquet Club. A longtime member of Stevensville United Methodist Church, Jan was equally devoted to her faith and fellowship.
Her artistic journey flourished at the Box Factory for the Arts, where she became one of the first resident studio artists when it opened in 1995. A dedicated member of the Berrien Artist Guild, she served as president for many years, volunteered, taught classes, and exhibited her work. Jan believed watercolor was “a wonderful medium to express the beauty around us,” often drawing inspiration from the flowers just outside her door. In recent years, she moved her studio home, continuing to paint and experiment with new techniques. Completing a painting gave her a distinct sense of accomplishment, but sharing her art gave her even greater joy. Her artwork fills not only her own walls, but the homes of her children and grandchildren, who rarely left her home without a new piece tucked carefully into their car.
Jan cherished time with her family. She loved vacations across the country and to Europe, most recently touring Italy with her daughter Julie. Annual fishing trips to Wisconsin and creative art projects at the cabin were among her happiest traditions.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Ron, her siblings Lorraine Bankes, Edward Ohnen, Warren Ohnen, and Donald Ohnen. She is survived by her children, Ronda Mollica (Chris) of Manawa, WI; Grant Sonneman (Peg Bitterman) of St. Joseph, MI; and Julie Marsh (Toby) of St. Joseph, MI; her grandchildren, Ann Lindeman (Ryan), Andrew Mollica (friend Camille), Zack Marsh (fiancé Madison), Nate Marsh (friend Dany), Josh Marsh, Sam Bitterman (Nicole Svienty); and great-grandchildren Finn Lindeman, Sydney and Bradley Bitterman and; her brother Richard Ohnen (Maryann); best friend Bobbie Stagg; and her faithful dog, Dempsey.
Special thanks to caregivers Julie and Dori, hospice nurse Lena and the many special friends who visited her.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Spring Run Cemetery in Royalton Township, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. A celebration of life will follow at the Box Factory for the Arts from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stevensville United Methodist Church or Box Factory for the Arts. Those wishing to share a memory of Janice online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
