Janet Lea (Sterner) Chisnell, 85

Janet Lea (Sterner) Chisnell of Dryden, Michigan, age 85, died May 23, 2026 in Lapeer, Michigan. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place.

Jan was born in Almont, Michigan at Bishop Hospital on March 3, 1941, the first daughter of the late Kenneth E. Sterner and Anna Mae (Kruse) Sterner. She lived in Dryden, Michigan her entire life and was married to Duane William Chisnell for 64 years.

Jan is survived by daughters Dana Chisnell, Lisa Swanson, and Andrea Chisnell as well as two granddaughters and two great grandchildren.

Civic-minded and true to her school, Jan will be remembered by many who attended Dryden schools as a prominent presence through her years working in the school office, as athletic director, and as sponsor of extracurricular activities in the years when teachers worked without contracts during the 1970s. She ran multiple millage elections, including fundraising for what is now Dryden High School.

For many years,
Jan was active in the leadership of the Dryden Historical Society. As one friend said, “She was an institution.”

Those who want to make contributions in Jan’s memory, please make a donation to the Dryden Township Library or the Dryden Historical Society.