Janet C. Elliker age 87, of Park Village, Dover, Ohio, went home to the Lord on March 11, 2014, after a lengthy illness. She was the wife of John S. Elliker, who survives. They enjoyed a wonderful and varied life together for 66 years. Jan was born at Detroit, Mich. on June 21, 1926 she was the daughter of the late McKim and Josephine (Schultz) Carpenter. She graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in 1948 and married John the same year moving to Washington, D.C. where John was associated with the National Security Agency. Jan taught school in the Maryland suburbs of the District of Columbia before resigning to raise a family. She has four children and joined with them and her husband as his employment with NSA took them to various assignments around the world and at the national headquarters. For years they maintained a home in Silver Spring, Md., to which they returned between overseas tours.

Jan played a leading role in her church affiliations as well as participating in Chuck Colson's Prison ministry and being active with Kay Arthur, whom she met while living in Germany, in inductive Bible study ministries. She remained a leader in Bible study activities for years after she and John retired to New Philadelphia, Ohio. Jan participated in the Dover Missionary Alliance Church as a teacher as well as a church board member and deaconess. Jan was active in community affairs such as T4C and the hospital auxiliary, as well as social organizations such as the Union Country Club and the Junior Clionians Women's Club. She was an ardent photographer and artist. She was a skilled athlete and kept a vigorous interest in gardening, home making and golfing until the onset of her illness. She and John enjoyed traveling with old friends but above all her primary accomplishments were as a mother.

In addition to her beloved husband, John, Jan is survived by her children, John Jr. (Susan) of Virginia Beach, Va., James (Roula) of Fleetwood, Pa., Jody Weisgarber (Bill) of New Philadelphia, and Jeffry (Marcia) of Durham, N.C. There are 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom she cherished. Three brothers-in-law, Richard Elliker (Carol), Bernard Elliker (Colleen) and Duane Lighthammer and their families as well as numerous nephews and nieces whom she loved, complete the family.

In addition to her parents, Jan was preceded in death by a sister Jody Lighthammer of Ann Arbor, Mich., and a brother Richard Carpenter of Livonia, Mich.

A private burial service will take place in the Dover Burial Park. All are invited to celebrate Jan's life during a memorial service, led by Reverend Richard Rose, at Noon on Monday, March 17, 2014 in the Dover Alliance Church, 310 Third Street. Members of the family will be available to greet guests in the church narthex and at the following luncheon. Donations in memory of Jan may be made to the Dover Alliance Church, 228 East Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622 or to Precept Ministries International, P.O. Box 182218, Chattanooga, Tn. 37422-7218. The family is grateful to Community Hospice for the concern and comfort offered to Jan and to Park Village for their skilled care and service. Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Jan by visiting the funeral home's website at www.GeibCares.com.

Published in The Times Reporter on Mar. 13, 2014