Janet Raye (Rishel) Niehenke

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Janet Raye Niehenke on November 14, 2024, at the age of 75.

 Janet was born October 22, 1949. In Punxsutawney.

Janet was a fiercely loyal and loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and wonderful friend to all. She loved gardening, sunsets, animals and was a lover of all things good and beautiful. She enjoyed traveling with her friends and family.

Janet graduated from Bedford High School in 1967. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She dearly loved her role as a teacher and spent 35 years inspiring and guiding students at the Marion Center Area Schools. 

A longtime active member at her church, Bethany Chapel, she had a heart for serving and spreading the gospel, which included organizing hundreds of boxes for Operation Christmas Child. She loved studying the Bible, and we are filled with comfort knowing she is now with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Janet is survived by her husband of 53 years, Russell E. Niehenke, sons Dustin (Michelle) Niehenke and Jared (Erin) Niehenke, grandchildren, Kira, Hayden, Clara, Luca, Virginia, and Asher, and sisters Cathy (Rod) Sourwine and Dawn (Barry) Einsig.

Janet is preceded in joining the Lord by her parents, Lloyd and Ethyl (Hawk) Rishel, her step-mother Mabel Rishel, father-in-law and mother-in-law James and Pearl Niehenke.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and also on Wednesday, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM at the John A. Lefdahl Funeral Home, 898 Old Route 119, N., Indiana PA, with Pastor Brian King officiating.

Interment will take place at Union Cemetery, Rossiter, PA

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany Chapel, 1003 Manor St, Marion Center, PA 15759.  

To share a memory or leave a condolence, visit www.lefdahlfuneralhome.com.

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