Janet M. McKanna

Janet M. McKanna, 81, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, April 22nd, 2022. Born September 10, 1940, the daughter of Chester & Gladys (Peters) Closson. Janet devoted her entire life to serving and caring for others.  She lost both of her parents at a young age. Her mother died in 1954, and her father two years later.  Janet along with her sister Marsha, under provision of guardianship, were able to keep the family together. Remaining at home, she assumed the adult tasks of cooking, cleaning, and raising their other three sisters and four brothers.

A graduate of Ottawa Public Schools, Janet worked at Phillips until she married her husband, Lyle R. McKanna, October 21st, 1961.  A natural born caregiver, Janet became a mother in 1962, with the birth of Jeffery A. McKanna, and again in 1963 with the birth of their daughter Joanne E. McKanna. While raising their family, Janet helped on the family farm, serving as secretary for Shady Lawn Farms for many years. Janet also served as bookkeeper for McBee Grain & Trucking and the Bluffton Elevator when owned and operated by the family.

Janet was an active member of the Columbus Grove Christian Church, attending Sunday school & services regularly. She also served as a Sunday school teacher, deaconess, summer bible schoolteacher, member of the women’s fellowship, and prayer committee. She also volunteered at the elementary school, reading to first grade students. Above all Janet was a devoted and faithful daughter of Christ.   

Janet & Lyle enjoyed traveling when not busy at the farm. They managed to visit all 50 states as well as Canada, Mexico, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Brazil, Russia, and Ireland. If you stopped by the farm, you would likely find Janet out weeding her flower beds, ‘reddin up’, or mixing up a batch of Rice Krispies to keep on the stove in her magic silver pan. One of her greatest pleasures in life was babysitting for her nieces, nephews, Joanne’s foster children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Lyle McKanna. Her son, Jeff (Julie) McKanna, and daughter, Joanne McKanna. Her grandchildren: Robert (Kate) Gray, Jamie (Kevin) Schumacher, Josh (Amanda) Gray, Antonio Gray, Madeline Burghaze, Allison Burghaze, and Jonathan McKanna. Great grandchildren: Scarlett, Elsie, Maxwell, Sam, Oliver, Hazel, and Oakley. Siblings: Marsha Hector, Carol (Butch) McConnell, Ron (Linda) Closson, Dennis (Brenda) Closson, Gary (Susie) Closson, Marilyn Knueven, David (Jean) Closson, and Beth (Chuck) Bishop. Sisters-in-law: Linda Graves and Lois Closson.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Calvin Closson, brother-in-law, Mike Graves, brothers-in law Gene Hector and John Knueven, and sister-in-law Agnes (Bob) Stechschulte.

Friends and family may call at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at Columbus Grove Christian Church on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Pastor Geoffrey Eubank presiding.  Burial to follow in Truro Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Columbus Grove Christian Church: 105 South Broadway Street. Columbus Grove, Ohio 45830

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