Janice Marie Shumway Cluff

Janice Marie Shumway Cluff returned home to her Father in Heaven on February 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Manti, Utah. She was born August 7, 1943, in Thermopolis, Wyoming, to Lenard and Edith Shumway, the fifth of nine children, all of whom

served full-time missions, a legacy she spoke of with love. She grew up on her family’s farm milking cows, harvesting hay, working horses and herding sheep.

At age 17 Janice served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission. She later worked for the Church Genealogy Department in Salt Lake City, typing thousands of names daily from old parish records. Her exceptional skills led her to be employed as secretary to General Church Patriarch Eldred G. Smith, where she typed hundreds of patriarchal blessings. Years later she was set apart as scribe and assistant for Jay, while he served as Patriarch of the Manti Utah Stake.

Janice married her sweetheart Jay Cluff on March 18, 1966, in the Salt Lake Temple where they were sealed by Eldred G. Smith. Janice and Jay raised 11 children that they consider their greatest accomplishment.

Janice and Jay created a beautiful life centered on faith and family. She raised pigs and chickens, milked cows, gardened, canned, cooked meals, washed dishes, changed cloth diapers and hung laundry on the line. She loved music and played the piano, organ, accordion, harmonica, guitar and ukulele. She also loved singing and dancing with Jay and her children. Together they formed the Cluff Family Cloggers and performed on many occasions. Janice cherished family gatherings, especially family home evenings and reunions. Janice served on the Manti City Youth Council, where she helped many students. She was also involved in Girls-State and assisted students in obtaining scholarships.

She served faithfully in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including primary, relief society, ward genealogist, and gospel doctrine teacher. She loved and enjoyed serving and performing in the Mormon Miracle Pageant with her family. She and Jay served as temple ordinance workers in the Manti Temple. Janice was an avid genealogist, she loved taking her family to perform proxy baptisms in the temple around Christmas, calling it a White Christmas.

Janice and Jay served an 18-month senior couples proselyting mission, in the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission. They also served a two-year mission at the Snow College Institute of Religion, where they were known as “Grandma and Grandpa” to the students.

She is survived by her husband Jay, and their children: Jaylene (Farron) Durfey; Jerry (Kimberly) Cluff; Joyce (Jeff) Guymon; Jon (Mackenzie) Cluff; Julieann (James) McCutcheon; Joel (Erin) Cluff; Jannetta (Chris)Young; Jeniel (Ira) Mickelsen; Jean (Paul) Dean; Jayson (Stephanie) Cluff; and Justin Cluff, 48 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Steven who lived three days; her still born twin sisters, Betty and Helen; her sister Savanna Baker; and two stillborn children, Jayde and Joseph.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with viewings Friday from 6:00–8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00–10:30 a.m. at the Manti Tabernacle, 92 South Main Street. Interment will follow at the Manti City Cemetery. Online guestbook and condolences available at www.maglebymortuary.com under Janice’s obituary