Janet S. Wendling 75, of Indianapolis, passed away at 1:12 a.m. Sunday, March 24, 2019, at the home of her niece.
She was born Sept. 20, 1943, in Indianapolis, to George and Cecelia (Schmitz) Wendling. Janet was a 1961 graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Indianapolis. She had worked for Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis from Oct. 3, 1966 until her retirement Dec. 31, 1993, having served 27 years. Janet was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Franklin and also St. Jude Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Her interests included going to the casino, computer games and chatting with friends on Facebook. She enjoyed NASCAR and Indy car racing, the Indianapolis Colts and playing euchre. From an early age Janet had a passion to help anyone and everyone around her. Not having children of her own, she quickly became a second mom to her niece and nephews. It was very common for her to arrive at her sister’s home with a trunk full of sodas, snacks and donuts. Janet was the first one to quickly buy tickets at a carnival or fair for all the kids to enjoy rides. That generosity was carried over to the next two generations with the same passion. Her selfless acts of kindness to children and adults alike were always first and foremost in her mind. Janet’s happiness came from caring for others and was a true blessing to all those who knew her. She embodied the essence of a true angel and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to St. Francis Hospital Oncology and to Dr. Subhash Sharma for the excellent care and compassion given to Janet over the last three years.
Survivors include her niece, Stacy Snider of Indianapolis; a nephew, Patrick Smiar (Jodi) of Taylorsville; great-nieces, Brittany Rauch (Jason) of Indianapolis, Sarah Cline (fiance, Rob Dougherty) of Marshall, Illinois, Jennifer Pearson (Chris) of Columbus, Simona Santabarbara (Raffe) and Cristina Willison, both of Indianapolis, Karen Smiar of Taylorsville, Haley Willison and Savannah Willison, both of Boise, Idaho, and Amber Willison of Texas; a great-nephew, Noah Willison of Boise, Idaho; six great-great-nieces and six great-great-nephews; and her cat, “Lillie.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Cecilia (Schmitz) Wendling; a sister, Barbara Smiar; an infant brother, George R. Wendling; nephews, Mark Willison, Scott Willison, Greg Willison, and Jeff Willison.
Father Steve Schaftlein will conduct a service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street), in Franklin. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the mortuary. Burial will be in Nineveh Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at swartzmortuary.com. Information: 317-738-0202.
