Janet E. Fry

A funeral service for Janet E. Fry, 95, of Newark, OH, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home, with Pastor Rob Hartman officiating. A private burial will be held at Zanesville Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home, 985 N. 21st St. Newark.

Janet passed away March 3, 2025, on her birthday and wedding anniversary, at SharonBrooke Assisted Living. She was born March 3, 1930, in Sonora, OH, to the late Leo A. and Bessie May (Feldner) Williams. She graduated from Lash High School in Zanesville, OH in 1948 and then graduated from Good Samaritan School of Nursing in 1951.

Janet was an RN in labor and delivery for Licking Memorial Hospital for many years. She later worked in the office of Drs. Jones, Kelch, Eckhardt and Reed, the City of Newark Health Department, and finally retired in 1994 as Nursing Supervisor at The Inn at SharonBrooke. She was a member of Southgate Church of Christ, Eastern Star 305, and TWIG 16.

Janet was a strong woman with endless stamina. Balancing the demands of raising 4 children while working full-time, occasionally working nights to prioritize family needs, was no easy task, yet she still found time to serve as PTA president, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, sew beautiful clothing, cook endless meals and enjoy tending to her garden. She thrived in the sunshine enjoying family vacations to Vero Beach, Florida and finally being able to realize a dream of a second home there. She was always up for an adventure. Their travel could be on a motorcycle all the way to Florida, driving out west in an Econoline van, wonderful annual trips with the 509th Composite Group WWII Veterans to various locations across the country and overseas. Needless to say, she led a full and vibrant life.

Janet was passionate about her calling as a registered nurse. Her love for caring for others was well known throughout the community whether assisting patients with the births of countless newborns, or tending to the needs of family, neighbors and friends. She was always lending a hand and offering compassionate skills.

She is survived by her children, Beth Payne Shively and Tom (Mary Jo) Payne; stepchildren, Carol Ann Raymond and Tanya Fry; sister, Ann Blackburn; cousin, Sally Bryan; daughter-in-law, Kathy Dittoe; grandchildren, Dr. Ryan (Angie) Rehl, Robyn (Ryan) LaCotte, Justin (Miranda Liss) Payne, Melanie (Nick) McCullough, Lise (Justin) Smith; step-grandchildren, Barry (Julie) Raymond, Brigette (Chad) Short, Brett (Johnna) Raymond; 19 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Dalton Fry; sons, Bill Payne and Roger Payne; stepson, Duane Fry; grandson, Joel Johnson; step-grandson, Brian Joseph Raymond; sons-in-law, Nelson Shively and Jon Raymond, and nephew, Tim Connell.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Southgate Church of Christ.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.