Janet Elaine Nelch

She was preceded in death by her parents: Dorothy Denton and Phillip Charles Nelch and her brother, Loren. She is survived by her devoted life partner of 40 years, Cheryl Renneckar.

Janet was born March 14, 1940 in Springfield Illinois. She graduated from Lanphier High School, Class of ’58 where she served as Secretary of the Senior Class.

As a teenager she worked with the Franciscan Sisters at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. She worked for the Illinois State Department of Commerce before earning her Bachelor of Science degree in English Education at Eastern Illinois University.

She taught English at Calhoun High School in Hardin, Illinois where she was Teacher of the Year (1974-75). When students began seeking her out for counseling, she attended Southern Illinois University/Edwardsville where she earned a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling.

Cold winters chased her to Florida in 1984 where she became a Guidance Counselor and Department Chairman at Springstead High School in Spring Hill, Florida. She transferred to Pasco County where she served for 11 years as Guidance Counselor and Department Chairman at Gulf Middle School in New Port Richey, FL. During her tenure she earned District Middle School Counselor of the Year honors as well as Gulf Middle School Counselor of the Year honors multiple times.

She retired in 2002 after being diagnosed in 2001 with kidney cancer and was told that it would be two years before it metastasized. With strong faith and will and God’s blessing her cancer remained in remission until 2019 when it spread to the pancreas. She continued battling and enduring surgeries and radiation when it spread to the lungs and second rib. She was always positive and never asked, “Why me?”

She was a member of the Caladesi Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in Dunedin, FL. Her passion for literacy, reading and children led her to become Chairman of the Literacy Committee. She developed a program of literacy with Head Start Children which earned a State DAR Award and recognition at the National Level. She served as Chapter Librarian securing genealogy book donations for the Dunedin Public Library.

Janet was a member of the Saint Francis of Assisi Old Catholic Church, Dunedin where she served on the Parish Council. She thanks Fr. Bob Swick, Candy Christensen-Barker and all of the parish members for their prayers, love and support.

Janet loved all people unconditionally, was a fierce protector and advocate for children; assisted the homeless, and lived her faith through service and “random acts of kindness.”

She loved traveling, genealogy research, shelling at Sanibel Island, and watching sunsets at Honeymoon Island. She had a passion for creative writing, reading, and literature.

She is survived by first cousins, Clark “Bud” Denton (Judy) of Springfield, IL; Nancy Craig and family, Springfield, IL; Donald Denton III (Nedra) of Glen Allen, Virginia and numerous second cousins. Members of Cheryl’s family who embraced Jan as family include: Sharon (Calvin, Jr.) Renneckar, Norwalk, OH; Kimberly (Mark) Zachary, Palm Harbor, FL, Eliyah Pollak, Tampa, FL; and Evan Pollak, Arlington, VA.

Cheryl wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Beth Hanrahan and Dr. Robert Levin of Clearwater; and members of Suncoast Hospice for their dedicated loving care!

A visitation for Janet will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point, Rd. Clearwater, FL 33759. A funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm to be followed by a graveside service at Sylvan Abbey Cemetery. A reception will take place from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at Sylvan Abbey.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the ABC-Assist, Believe, Care program to provide support to students and families experiencing economic hardship or family crisis at Gulf Middle School, 6419 Louisiana Ave. New Port Richey, FL 34653. Important to note on your check donation: ABC program in memory of Janet Nelch.

Donations may also be made to Clothes for Kids, Inc., 1059 N. Hercules Ave. Clearwater, FL 33765 or on their website: clothestokids.org. Note in memory of Janet Nelch.

To view the live stream of the funeral mass, please visit the website below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/vb5ywDso6aU