COLUMBUS
Janet Sue Williams Mendenhall passed away peacefully on September 14, 2020 at home and joined the Lord and her loved ones in Heaven. Janet battled advanced stages of dementia for several years and is now finally free of its effects.
Born on October 9, 1942 in Columbus, Indiana, she was the daughter of Harry A. and Cleo Hartwell Williams. She was united in marriage to Paul “Butch” W. Mendenhall on September 29, 1961 at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus. They were married for 59 years and were members of First Christian Church throughout their marriage.
In 1960, Janet graduated from Columbus High School, now known as Columbus North, where she met many of her lifelong friends known as the “Scuttlebutt Group”. She went on to study fashion merchandising at a college affiliated with Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois until she married her husband, Paul. In 1975, Janet received an LPN degree in Logan, Utah. After returning from Utah, she worked as the bookkeeper and office administrator for her father’s family business, H.A. Williams Company. She, along with her best friend Kathy Clark, opened two decorating and gift shops: The Phoenix, located in Nashville, Indiana, and Cottage Reflections, located in Columbus, Indiana. In 2011, Janet ended her career and retired as a licensed real estate agent for Breeden Realty.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, John Williams.
Left to cherish her memory is her beloved husband Paul, and her adoring daughters: Beverly (Tony McCracken), Kirsten (Michael Loftis), and Judy (Mark Dye). Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren, whom she enjoyed so much: Bryan Wignall (Aiza), Ben Wignall, Meagan Loftis-Sykes (Thomas Sykes), Savannah Loftis, Matthew Todd, and Mark Todd. She is further cherished by her great-granddaughter, Olivia Rae Wignall, and her beloved dog, Toby.
Janet was a loving and devoted caretaker for her family and will be deeply missed by those who loved her. The family would like to send their thanks and appreciation to Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana. Special thanks to caregivers Debbie, Jennifer, Courtney, and Sandy as well as her assigned nurse Elisha. Their help and compassion will not be forgotten.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Thursday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with Tyler Tolbert officiating.
Family and friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to time of service.
We do ask that visitors follow the social distancing guidelines once inside the funeral home and masks are required.
Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Mendenhall family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com
Do not ask me to remember.
Don’t try to make me understand.
Let me rest and know you’re with me.
Kiss my cheek & hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept.
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you.
To be with me at all costs.
Do not lose your patience with me.
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting. Can’t be different ‘though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
that the best of me is gone.
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
love me ’til my life is done.
-Unknown author
