Janice Alicia Crook

Janice Alicia Crook, 82, of Poplar Bluff passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 11, 2026. Janice was born on August 15,1943, to Frank and Loretta Kovach. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School, Class of 1962. On May 16, 1963, Janice married the love of her life, Willard Crook.

 Janice dedicated her career to helping others through her work in mental health, until her retirement in 2011. Caring for people wasn’t just her profession, it was who she was. She never met a stranger and had a gift for making everyone she met feel welcomed and loved. 

Janice is survived by her daughters, Donna LaJeret and Judy Randall (Carl); grandchildren, Shaun Crook (Mercedes), Donna Wertenberger (AJ), Staci Scott (Daniel), Kyler LaJeret (Amy), and Janel Ivy (Josh); great-grandchildren, Rosalyn, Alyssa, Briley, Levi, and Luke; brothers, Mickey Kovach (Doris) and Phillip Kliensorge; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard Crook; granddaughter, Alicia Wisdom; parents, Frank and Loretta Kovach; brother, Allen Kovach; and sister-in-law, Evangelina Kliensorge. 

Janice will be remembered for her kindness, generous heart, and the love she poured into everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy of compassion and selflessness will continue to live on through her family and everyone whose life she touched. 

In honor of Janice’s lifelong love for the St. Louis Cardinals, the family invites everyone attending her services to wear their favorite Cardinals shirt or Cardinal red in her honor.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Haven House in Janice’s memory.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 1:00pm-2:00pm at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services. Funeral service will follow beginning at 2:00pm with Pastor Monte Flanigan officiating. Burial will take place at City Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Janice Alicia Crook. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com.