Janet K. Bowen

She was born on September 3, 1936, to Katherine (Dibblee) and Weldon Paxton in Hammond, IN.

Janet lived her last 25 years in Valpo and lived most of her young and adult life in Hammond, IN, raising her family in the Hessville neighborhood with her brother and his family and other Bowen family members living around the block. Many family memories were made there as well as some very close and lifelong friendships. Janet was a devoted mother and homemaker and was very involved in raising her children.

She entered the workforce once her children were older, as a league coordinator at Plaza Lanes bowling alley in Highland, and then worked for several years as a medical records clerk at Roseland Community Hospital and then as an administrative assistant at Lincoln National Insurance in Merrillville where she retired from. She also tended bar for a number of years at the Stadium in Hessville. Janet’s most cherished role was that of Nanny Jan. She cared for and nurtured Trevor and Grant and Alyssa and Carson as if they were her own and loved them and their families dearly. After moving to Valpo, Janet worked alongside her niece Cindy in the ticket office at Valparaiso University for almost 15 years. There she became a member of the VU athletic family which she wholeheartedly embraced. It was a big part of her later life.

Janet loved her life and was always on the go. She loved to travel to Wisconsin to visit her dearest friend Judy and above all, loved to visit her Brother in Florida. Her hobby and obsession was scrapbooking. Her talent and creativity is obvious in the numerous books she created. As her hands and health started to fail, she was deeply saddened to no longer be able to create these masterpieces. These scrapbooks truly are her legacy. Janet loved to plant flowers on her little patio and had an equal love for bunnies and angels which were prominently displayed throughout her home. They brought her joy.

A quote from the first page of one of her scrapbooks speaks volumes: “These pictures are what I associate with and love, places I’ve visited often. They capture the traditions, values and beliefs I have. I came to understand that my perspective on life is unique and important, and needs preserving. The memories in these books are to help us remember them well. Details can fade ever so quickly. Fortunately, scrapbooking is a way to capture and relive these moments.” Janet was amazing powerful woman who lived life to its fullest, and who was deeply loved by her family and all who knew her and shared her life.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Janice (Jim) Uram; her son, Daniel (Danny) Bowen; her stepdaughters, Alicia Nava (Felix Maldonado) and Nicole (Rudy) Djordjevich; her sister, Mary K. Wilson of Bolivar, Ohio; and her grandchildren, Amanda (Aaron) Glowiak, Anthony Herrera (Tyler Laski), Gabe and Mia Nava, Jamie (Laura) Djordjevich, Nadia Djordjevich, Rudy (Mia) Djordjevich, and Brianne Djordjevich.

She is also survived by her cherished nieces and nephews, Cindy (Lanny) Eaton of Rotonda West, Florida, and Brenda (Dan) Shrader of Bolivar, Ohio; and her special great-nieces and great-nephews, Lindsey, Ty, Kelly, Mindy, and Katie;

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Gary, who passed away suddenly on May 7, 1977; her mother, Katherine (Dibblee) Rucinski; her brother, Kenneth (“Bob”) Paxton and his spouse, Lois (Bowen) Paxton; her sister, Sharon Youngblood; and her grandson, Justin David Brilmyer. She was also preceded in death by her devoted companion of more than 30 years, her African Gray parrot, Roscoe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383.

A Graveside Service will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home Memorial Gardens, in the Garden of Christus, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307, US, on May 15, 2026, at 2:00 pm with Chaplain Ryan Johnson Presiding