Janet Sue Engelhart

Janet Sue Walters Engelhart, age 66, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully an hour before sunrise Thursday morning, May 27, with her husband at her side. Born at New Philadelphia February 1, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Frederick G. and Margaret M. Glazier Walters. Janet was a 1962 graduate of New Philadelphia High School where the saying under her photo read “You’d know that laugh anywhere.”Janet’s infectious laugh and warm personality made her especially good at making others feel good about themselves. She grew up as a member of the New Philadelphia First Christian Church before attending The Ohio State University in the fall of 1962 and marrying David Engelhart on April 9, 1965. Together their love for one another, and for adventure, would lead them to live in more than twelve cities, including Anchorage, Alaska, and visit a number of foreign countries. While in Alaska, Janet and David camped, and hiked their way into the Alaskan wilderness, and visited such natural beauties of the hidden lakes and fished for salmon on the mighty Russian River. Travel also took Janet to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, and she was always proud to have climbed Pike’s Peak. When the travel schedule allowed, Janet and David were known to cast a line into just about any fishing hole or waterway in the central United States. Her favorite sites included the Truman Reservoir and Lake of the Ozarks where the large mouth bass nearly jumped into the boat over her plastic worm bite. Maybe because she said hello and goodbye to more than a dozen homes since leaving New Philadelphia for college in the fall of 1962, Janet worried less about the trappings of a house, and made an excellent caregiver to strangers and loved ones alike. Every Wednesday, for more than ten years, Janet volunteered to lovingly serve the needs of patients and visitors in Overland Park Regional Medical Center of Kansas.A talented artist, Janet began a company named Pet Perfect, painting images of family pets and providing them to their owners. In 2002, David and Janet relocated a final time to Ohio where they could be closer to their parents in the final years of their lives. Janet lovingly cared for her mother and David’s father until their deaths. In the final years of her life, Janet and David enjoyed retirement living in New Philadelphia, especially being close once again to her family, including her sister Barbara Prosser of New Philadelphia with whom she shared lunches and good times every Tuesday and Thursday. A sister-in law, Ivajane Miles, and husband Dan, of New Philadelphia were very special people to Janet. During Wednesday afternoons in golf season, Ivajane, Janet and David could be found enjoying a spirited round of golf and countless laughs at Oak Shadows. The apple of her eye was her great-nephew, Burt Link. “He brightened my every day with his calls, his hugs, and his sleepovers” said Janet recently. Following the death of Burt’s mother several years ago, Janet and Burt became especially close. Janet was delighted to have shared the past few years with Burt, and to see him grow from a little boy, through all of his challenges, into a wonderful young man. Survivors, in addition to her husband, sister, sister-in-law, and great-nephew, include her two nephews, Steve and Bret (wife Kim) Link; two great-nieces, Nikki and Grace Antonucci; a great-nephew, Jared Domer, all of New Philadelphia; niece Trisha (Kip) Eriksen of Columbus, Ohio; and nephew Todd (Michelle) Miles of Carrollton. In addition to her parents, Janet is preceded in death by a son, Chad David Engelhart, who passed away January 2, 1973, shortly after his birth. Janet leaves behind a legacy of smiles, goodwill and cheer throughout the Midwest and here in Ohio. In the twilight of her life, she was blessed with hundreds of cards and well wishers. “I have no regrets, I have no fear of death, I wish I had more time to grow old with David, but God has other plans” she shared only a few weeks ago. In the end, it was David, holding her one hand, as the Lord took her other, leading her into her heavenly reward. Family and friends are invited to gather Saturday afternoon, May 29, from 4PM â?? 6PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia, and one hour prior to her funeral service on Sunday, May 30 at 2 PM in the funeral home’s chapel.A reception with some of Janet’s favorite foods will follow in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home in New Philadelphia. A family graveside service in East Avenue Cemetery is planned for a later date.The Engelhart family is grateful to family members, friends, Dr. M. Ahmed, neighbors, the team at Hospice of Tuscarawas County, (especially Dr. Harper, Anna, Lynn and Misty) and kind acquaintances for their prayers, notes, cards, flowers, and food as we traveled this journey. You certainly helped us in the process and made Jan’s final months as pleasant as they could be. God loves you, and so do we. In gratitude for their exemplary care, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622, or to the Quaker Foundation, Class of 1962 fund, 343 Ray Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website.