Janice Vantrease Obituary

Janice Vantrease

Janice C. Vantrease, 80, of McComb, passed away and went to be with her Lord and Savior at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at St. Francis Home.

She was born Aug. 1, 1942, to Delmo and Ruth (Turman) Thomason. She met her future husband on a blind date at Roy's Squeeze-In for cheeseburgers and strawberry shakes. She married Av Vantrease on Oct. 18, 1950, at the Free Will Baptist Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and he preceded her in death after 47 years of marriage.

Janice is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Rick) Brand of Cincinnati; son, David (Rhonda) Vantrease of Sacramento, California; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters, Alma Rigby of Johnson City, Tennessee, Joan (Burl) Greer of Findlay, Tona Hammersmith of Findlay, and Alice Faye Packer of Lima; and brother, Don Thomason of Toledo

Janice was preceded in death by three children, Bronica Carol, Kevin, and Robert Matthew; sisters, Shirley and Selma; and brothers, Dale and Harold.

First and foremost, she loved the Lord and throughout her life, it was displayed by her servant's heart. Janice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She often made meals and desserts to bring to friends during difficult times, as well as regularly baking cookies and making soup for McComb Fire Department crew. She was known for her phenomenal cooking and baking skills. Most Sundays after church, she would make several pies and invite friends over after evening services.

Her children have fond memories of her going to a local dairy farm to collect milk every week to make her own butter, which she then assigned the churning duties to her daughter, Teresa. Vacations were always fun and full of childhood memories for her children. Janice and Av took the family on annual trips to national parks and numerous trips to the Smokies for hiking excursions. Janice was known to get a little close to the bears to get a great photo shot.

In her younger years, Janice taught Sunday school and always helped with the church's annual vacation bible school. She loved working with the youth at her beloved church and remained active until she was physically unable. For many years she hosted a table for her church's annual ladies missions tea and would adorn her table with china, silver, and crystal and exquisite foods for a proper tea.

For those that knew Janice well, they knew to always show up at her home mid-morning for Saturday breakfast. She always made a big southern breakfast and it was typical for many visitors to be squeezed around the table for fellowship and fine food. Throughout her life, Janice always had a large garden, canning and freezing the bounty of her and Av's hard work. She loved flowers and trees and could not resist buying plants every time she shopped, digging holes anywhere she could fine an open space. She was also a gifted jeweler and her work is shown on the wrists and necks of many women.

Janice was a member of Maranatha Bible Church in Van Buren.

Janice's funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at Maranatha Bible Church, Van Buren, with Pastor Jeff Topping officiating. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Findlay. Visitation will be 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay, and 10-11 a.m. Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Janice's memory to Maranatha Bible Church, 10965 OH-613, Van Buren, Ohio, 45889, St. Francis Home, 182 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin, Ohio, 44883, or Promedica Foundation Hospice, 444 N. Summit Street, Toledo, Ohio, 43604.

The family wishes to thank St. Francis Nursing home for the exceptional care Janice received. The staff loved her like family and made her two years there a pleasant experience.