Leeds, Utah – Janice Claire Rushton Coon, 90, passed away June 11, 2026 with loved ones holding her hand. She was born January 26, 1936, to Chris Melvin Rushton, and Verla Claire Atkinson.

Janice learned to work hard at a young age. She grew up in Hunter, Utah. She had a difficult childhood having contracted polio at age seven, six months after her mother passed away. For several years, she lived with her aunt, Alta Atkinson Allgood, in Midvale, before returning to live with her father in Hunter after he remarried. She started attending church with a friend in primary, which lead to a life-long commitment to her Heavenly Father, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Janice married her Eternal companion, David Golden Coon, in the Salt Lake City Temple on November 6, 1953. Together, Janice and David had seven children.

Her family was blessed by her many talents and abilities to do things with her hands. She made candy, fudge, bread, ice cream, and pretty much anything else. Her famous chocolate chip cookies were loved by all, and her children even used them as trade currency. Her family loved her grape juice that she made from grapes picked at her father’s house. She also sewed beautiful dresses for the girls, and matching shirts for the boys.

She had an appreciation and reverence for nature, especially plants and flowers. She assigned herself to be the Sacrament Meeting Florist. She would go for drives before church and gather all kinds of plants and flowers that were turned into beautiful arrangements. Roses were her favorite flower, but she loved them all.

Janice had an innate gift as a caregiver. Throughout her life, she instinctively took upon herself opportunities to care for others. She kept all seven kids alive through countless illnesses and injuries. Janice watched over her husband and took the best care of him as he suffered with rheumatic fever and watched over him while he recovered from open heart surgery. Later in life during their retirement years, Janice showed the upmost loyalty to her husband by being his around-the-clock care for fourteen years following his traumatic stroke.

Janice felt called to be in the temple as much as life would allow. After her youngest kids were all in school, she started a temple group with the widowed sisters in the ward. She would pick up three ladies every Wednesday and take them to the temple with her. After her husband passed, Janice attended the temple every day.

Material things were not important to mom. She was very careful with her money and didn’t like to spend it on herself. Her greatest joy was being a giver, and she gave without hesitation. She would always say, “People are more important than things.”

Family was always the most important thing to Janice. If you were lucky enough to pray with her, you knew it wouldn’t be short. She would pray for each child, grandchild, and in-law by name. If you spent any time with her at all, you became family to her and you can be certain she prayed for you. Her goal in life was, “to have no empty chairs in the Celestial Kingdom.”

On behalf of Janice’s family, we wish to thank her many caregivers, whom she lovingly referred to as, “my angels.”

She is survived by children; Calla Widerburg (Paul) of Tigard, OR, Jared Coon (Judy) of Salem, UT, Tammy Drake of St. George, UT, Aaron Coon (Kristen) of Stanwood, WA, Paul Coon (Jodie) of South Jordan, UT, Adam Coon (Jennifer) of Spanish Fork, UT, Goldie Bonewell (Brandon) of St. George, UT; sister, Verla Christine Kingsbury of West Valley City, UT; along with 27 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held June 25th, 2026, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. The funeral services will be June 26th, 2026, at 10:30am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4345 Medallion Dr, Washington, UT 84780, being preceded by a viewing from 9:00am-10:00am at the same church.

Those unable to attend the service in person are invited to watch the livestream at 10:30 a.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/97981274343?pwd=Wg353xy0GcLbVoLqa6dSZ06hktXDcz.1

Meeting ID: 979 8127 4343

Passcode: 319343

Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. You can contact us at 435-673-2454 for any questions.

Family and friends are invited to share their condolences and favorite memories of Janice on her online guestbook at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com