Janice (Jill) Smith Welch, 86, peacefully passed into eternity Friday morning, Sept. 2. An amazing woman with many God-given talents, she raised four children with grace, sending each to post-secondary education.
Born Feb. 8, 1936, to Fred and Jeanette Kaiser in Buffalo, N.Y., she studied Speech Pathology at Northwestern University. Years later she returned to school to become an LPN. Her greatest love was sharing the gift of instrumental music through playing her violin. Throughout her life, she ministered to others through her encouraging cards and letters of remembrances.
She leaves to remember her impact on their lives her four children (Dirk Smith of Muncie, Ind.; Jeanette Kovacs of Indianapolis, Ind.; Julie Smith of Largo, Fla.; and D. Mark Smith of Mooresville, Ind.), eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, a cousin, several nieces and nephews, and her beloved pet, Danny. She is preceded in death by her parents; her first and second husbands; and one nephew.
Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12, at the Elm Ridge Chapel in Muncie with a celebration service at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to The Gideons International, the Taccoa Symphony Orchestra, or Animal Rescue Fund.
The Clayton Tribune
September 15, 2022