Janet Elizabeth Brenneman Wingrove, a resident of Leicester, N.C., died on July 10, 2023, at the age of 78 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Janet was born in Mount Pleasant, Pa., on July 21, 1944. She was eldest of six children born to Orlo and Thelma Gilnett Brenneman – longtime residents of Winona Lake and Greencroft Community, Goshen – who both predeceased her.
“Jan” is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 58 years, Melvin Wingrove; two daughters, Lisa DeWitt (husband, Paul) and Rebekah Moffett; two grandchildren: Charlie and Lexi DeWitt; five younger siblings: Judie Garifine, of Long Branch, N.J.; Joe Brenneman (wife, Rene), of Larwill; Joyce LeMasters (husband, Bill), of Lakeland, Fla.; Jim Brenneman, of Winona Lake; and John Brenneman, of Winona Lake; sister-in-law, Lorraine Salmon; brother-in-law, Jim Wingrove (Wife, Lynne); and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews.
She and Mel met while in high school at a Youth For Christ rally. They were married August of 1965. In 1966, she earned a degree in elementary education from Bob Jones University, Greenville, S.C.
Jan spent her entire life in Christian service, teaching elementary, middle and junior high school at Christian Schools in the United States and Canada. She loved teaching the Bible to children in Sunday school, children’s church, and Vacation Bible School. She played piano and sang in the choir for worship services during the 20 years Mel was pastor of Flatwoods Baptist Church in Pennsylvania.
After retiring in 2000 and moving to North Carolina to be near their daughters and grandchildren, Jan and Mel worked as field representatives for Evangelical Mission to the Unreached (EMU) in Greenville, S.C., until 2017; then with Source of Light Ministries in Madison, Ga., from 2017 to 2019, until her illness prevented travel.
Janet loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and spent time daily, reading her Bible and praying for missionaries and loved ones. Even when illness left her unable to stand on her own, she would ask, “What can I do? How can I help?”
The family greatly thanks the staff of Care Partners Hospice for their help, kindness and comfort provided during Jan's final weeks.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Flat Rock, N.C., at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to EMU International, Inc., Taylors, South Carolina. www.emuinternational.org/give-now/