Aiken, Janis Carol Midland, Michigan Age 61, died Wednesday evening, November 5, 2008 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. She was born September 10, 1947 in Saginaw, the daughter of Roy Jr. and Lois (Minnis) Benway. Janis graduated from Arthur Hill High school, and earned her bachelor and master's degree in education from Central Michigan University. She had taught school in Hancock, Michigan and Vincentown, New Jersey before beginning her present career in special education at Merrill Community Schools in September, 1986. Carol was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and had served as past president of the Midland Jaycees. She was an avid reader and movie buff. She also enjoyed watercolor painting, cross-stitching, quilting and most of all, spoiling her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Richard, whom she married June 28, 1969, daughter and son-in-law Heather N. and Erich Smith of Saginaw, son Brandon M. Aiken of Midland, grandchildren Alex Smith, Ashlyn Smith, Elyse Smith, mother Lois Benway of Bay City, sister Jeryl (Larry) Stoltz of Mooresville, NC, father and mother-in-law Clair and Hilda Aiken of Midland, brother-in-law Jerry Aiken of Tucson, AZ, sisters-in-law Kathy Aiken of Midland, Debbie (Keith) Dompier of Phoenix, AZ, several nieces and nephews, many friends and faculty at Merrill High School and her many friends at River Valley R.V. Park, Gladwin. She was predeceased by her father Roy Benway Jr., granddaughter Haven Smith and sister-in-law Shirley Aiken. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 505 E. Carpenter, Midland, with burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler, Midland, on Monday from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services. Rather than flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (for stem cell transplantation research) or St. John's Lutheran Church. If you are unable to visit with the family in person you may send your condolences through waresmithwoolever.com