Janice E. Bender, 86, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully encircled by loved ones on Feb. 26, at 10:30 a.m.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Jan spent her life surrounded by family and friends who will always remember her love and kindness.

Jan was born on Sept. 30, 1938, in Elkhart, to Bert and Zelma Cook.

She married Clifford L. Bender on April 7, 1957. He preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 2011.

Jan was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Dale and Gary; and 5 sisters, Geneva, Lillian, Lucille, Mary and Rita and surviving are one brother, Jerry (Carolyn) Cook; one sister Nila Young; and sisters-in-law, Irene and Marcia Cook.

Surviving are 3 children, Rodman Bender, (Marilyn) of Jimtown, Kimberly (Roger) Stoops of Edwardsburg, MI, Stacie (Adam) Remaly of Dayton; along with 9 grandchildren, Bodie (Franki) Bender, Brock (Shay) Bender, Blane Bender, Shane (Ashley) Stoops, Shana (Scott) Kretchman, Sheila Iannarelli, Shannon Stoops, Alec (Lesley) Remaly, and Ryan Remaly. Also surviving are 10 great-grandchildren.

She worked for many years as a waitress at Judd Drug Stores, and Michaels, where she became a beloved figure.

She was a lifelong member of the Jamestown United Methodist Church.

Known for her quick wit and warm smile and love for her community, she touched the lives of everyone she met.

An avid sports fan, Jan was especially passionate about the Jimtown Jimmies and Notre Dame and spent countless hours cheering for her teams.

Outside of sports, she found joy in the simple pleasures of life, like feeding and watching the birds and playfully chasing the squirrels off of the pole.

She also enjoyed playing cards and spending time at the lake cottage with her family.

Her enthusiasm and joy for life were contagious; and her family cherishes the many memories they created together.

Jans family was the center of her world, and she leaves behind a legacy of love as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She will be dearly missed but forever remembered for her strength, her devotion, and her unwavering spirit.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 10, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. in Elkhart.

Services will take place on Tuesday, March 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Jimtown United Methodist Church, 59218 Co Rd 3 in Elkhart, with an hour of visitation prior.

A graveside service will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to JUMC in Jan's honor.