Janet Marie Oberlin, of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, went home to be with her Lord at 6:22 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at Grace Health Care in Winona Lake at the age of 85.
She was born on Oct. 20, 1938, in Defiance, Ohio, to Clara Marie Hohenberger Wolfrum Harold Philip Wolfrum. Janet was a graduate of Ayersville High School in Defiance, Ohio, and later International Business College in Fort Wayne. For several years she worked for Medical Protective Company in Fort Wayne as a secretary.
At the young age of 19, Janet married Ivan C. Oberlin on Sept. 6, 1958, in Fort Wayne at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Together they moved to Fort Lewis, Wash., while Ivan served in the Army for two years from 1960 – 1962. They moved back to Fort Wayn and later Ivan and Janet Oberlin came to Warsaw in 1968 where they made their home. They were blessed with raising three children and Janet very much enjoyed her new role as a mother and homemaker. Ivan and Janet celebrated 51 years of marriage together before Ivan passed away on Feb. 7, 2010.
Janet was a long-time and active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Warsaw and enjoyed worshiping in the choir and serving on many committees over the years. She always kept busy and enjoyed volunteering for Kosciusko Community Hospital Auxiliary for 14 years. She was also a member of Community Bible Study. Janet always had a love of animals, and her beloved yorkie-poodle, Jellybean was the recipient of her unconditional love. Janet dearly enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling throughout her life with her husband, puzzles and of course playing a good game of bridge. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to many and would most want to be remembered for her faith in her Savior Jesus Christ.
She leaves behind her two sons, Gregory Mark (Teresa) Oberlin, Warsaw; Bradley James Oberlin, Alaska; daughter, Julie Beth (Tim) Patten, Warsaw; two grandchildren, Kayla (Nick) Johnson, Warsaw; Justin Oberlin, Lafayette; and two great-granddaughters, Izabelle and Charlotte Johnson. Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Kay Wolfrum, Winter Springs, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ivan C. Oberlin; and one brother, Robert Wolfrum.
Friends and family may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will be visitation an hour prior to the funeral service on Friday, Nov. 3 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Warsaw.
Janet’s life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1720 E. Center St., Warsaw, and officiated by Rev. Bill Carney. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1720 E. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 1048 S. 325 W., Pierceton, IN 46562.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.