Janice W. (Winslow) Harper

Janice (L.) Winslow Harper, age 84 of Marion, was called home by the Lord on April 21, 2022, at Marion General Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  Born July 19, 1937, in Marion, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence W. Winslow and Hazel (Burroughs) Winslow Johnson. 

On February 19, 1978, in Marion she married Larry A. Harper and he preceded her in death on December 1, 1985.  Janice was a lifetime resident of the Marion area, except for two years in the early 60’s when she and her family resided in Medford, Oregon. 

She attended the Marion City Schools, grades one through nine, before earning her GED in 1979.  At age 50, Janice attended Marion Technical College to study Micro Computer Applications.

Janice had an extensive employment history and met many wonderful people along the way.  She spent ten years at Fulfillment Corp. of America before exploring different careers from Consumer News, to being a reporter and writer for Scantland News, to working with children as a certified daycare provider for the Marion County Welfare Department.  Janice’s last fifteen years in the public workforce were spent in many of Marion’s supermarkets where she enjoyed getting to meet people as she worked as a Pepsi sampler and then a food sampler.  Janice retired in 2001, allowing her to become self-employed in the business she proudly created in 1987; Janimac Publications.

Janice is survived by her six children, Michael J. (Connie) Hall, Bunny S. (Mark) Studer, Tamra I. (Aurelio Vera) Valerio, Brenda L. Guider, John (Colleen Belcher) Hall, and David V. (Kimberly) Hall; ten grandchildren, Joshua (Kristen) Hall, Jennifer (Michael) Fosnaugh, Aric Studer, Tomas (Rafael) Torres-Valerio, Katy Guider, Chelsey (Jarret) Woods, Lindsay (Charlie) Harrell, Kris (Stephanie) Hall, Brock Stallsmith, and Nicole Hall, as well as 17 great grandchildren.  Also surviving are a sister, Ethel M. McNally, a  stepdaughter, Laura J. Halbert, as well as 4 step grandchildren, 10 step great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.  Janice also leaves behind her loving canine companion, Luna.  She was preceded in death by her two sisters, A. Evelyn Peters and Marlene J. Roddy, along with one brother, Phillip L. Winslow.   

The family will hold a memorial service at Liberty Baptist Church at 435 E Fairground St. in Marion, Ohio, on Sunday, May 15 at 4:00 PM.  Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to a reception celebrating Janice’s life at The Union at 130 S Main St. in Marion, Ohio through 7:00 PM.  Janice has asked that her children scatter her ashes at a pre disclosed place at a time of their choosing.  

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Liberty Baptist Church, 435 E Fairground Street, Marion, Ohio 43302.

In 1987, as a writer of prose and rhyme, Janice put together and self-published “A Widow’s Prayer”, a book of poetry she penned during the year after her husband’s death; she gave the book to widows and widowers that she met around Marion and surrounding towns.  She sold her writings in shops locally and in Mansfield, Dublin, Delaware, and in the national magazine, “Folk Art Magazine”.  Janice also dabbled in children’s stories and at the time of her passing had self-published “The Tale of the Missing Kitten”, a story about her youngest granddaughter and her kitten, Jack.  In 2001, she entered into an agreement with local funeral directors to make memorial cards.  From then until the time of her death she made laminated memory cards for the families and friends of those who passed away in the Marion area.  

Janice was a believer and considered her writings to be a ministry of words.

A Ministry of Words

I talked to God this morning in a very simple way, 

just like I’d talk to anyone, conversing through the day.

I told Him that I loved Him. gave thanks that I am saved, 

rejoiced in all my blessings, the answered prayers to me He gave.

Then I asked, “How can I serve You?’  From within, His voice I heard, 

“Use the talent that I gave you in a ministry of words”.

“All is well with my soul!”

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