Janette M. Lerner

Janette M. Swartz Lerner, 91, of Ormond Beach, Florida, and formerly of Goshen, died peacefully May 13, 2016, after spending Mother’s Day weekend with three of her four children.

She was born December 11, 1924 in Goshen to Paul and Mable (Cripe) Swartz. She is a direct descendent of Daniel C. Cripe, the first settler to plow a furrow on the Elkhart prairie in 1830. She married Harry E. Lerner, Jr, September 1, 1943 in Fort Wayne.

She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Reynolds of Wildwood, Florida and Kelly Lerner of Spokane, Washington; two sons, Jack Lerner of Brinnon, Washington and Chris Lerner of Ormond Beach, Florida; a foster son, Norman Chavise of Costa Rica; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and Nikia Walker and Valerie Weaver, her long term care givers.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry E. Lerner Jr, a sister, Betty Swartz Bolton, and a grandchild, Jennifer Garner.

Janette graduated from Elkhart High School in 1943. An Elkhart County resident until 1985 when she moved to Costa Rica, and then to Florida, Mrs. Lerner raised four children; owned a Ben Franklin store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, worked at Goshen Hospital as a unit secretary, volunteered for Mennonite Disaster Service, cooked for Camp Amigo, attended the Instituto de Lengua Española in her mid 50s, and served with Latin American Missions in San Jose, Costa Rica in retirement. She was an excellent seamstress and made everything from prom dresses to curtains to comforters.

A joyfully religious woman, Janette has been an active member of Augustana Lutheran Church, Elkhart; First Lutheran Church, Fort Lauderdale; Trinity Lutheran Church, Goshen; College Mennonite Church, Goshen; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Orlando, Florida.

Janette loved to travel and was always game for an adventure. She was quirky and inquisitive and lived life with zest. She was happiest surrounded by family and friends, volunteering and helping others. Even after she developed Alzheimer’s in her mid 80s, she loved to get dressed up and go out on the town for lunch. She will be sorely missed by all who enjoyed her indomitable spirit.

Friends may call Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where a 10 a.m., Thursday, May 26, 2016, funeral service will be conducted.  Rev. Ed Geleske, United Methodist Church, Wakarusa, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.

Memorial contributions may be given to Mennonite Disaster Service.