Janice E. Gerbig

Janice E. Gerbig, 85, of Hernando, FL, passed away Thursday, Oct. 22, 2025 at Compass Rose Assisted Living of Lecanto. Janice was born at home (as was common in those days) on the family farm in the township of Fenner, NY on Aug. 16, 1940 to William and Kathryn (Grabow) Gerbig, the youngest of three children.

As a young woman, she graduated from beautician school worked as a hairdresser and started her family. Following divorce, she continued her education earning a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from University at Buffalo and relocated her family to Washington, DC to start her new career in that male dominated field. Throughout her life, Janice had a variety of careers including Casino Dealer, but her favorite by far was in Real Estate as a talented and successful agent. In retirement Janice and her second husband, Hal, moved to Lake Montezuma, AZ where for almost ten years they volunteered at Rainbow Acres, a neurodiverse ranch-style residential community for adults with mental and developmental disabilities, they then relocated to Lecanto, FL in 2015. Janice had many adventures with her beloved late husband Harold “Hal” Hemmerling, who passed away October 25, 2023. Both were born in rural parts of upstate NY and spent much of their adult life in Buffalo, NY without ever knowing each other. They were introduced later in life by Janice's daughter and son-in-law who worked with Hal in New Hampshire. Love bloomed late, but love bloomed strong; they were truly soul mates.

Janice was a member of Seven Rivers Christian Church in Lecanto; the National Association of Realtors, and former member of both the Community Theater in Alexandria, VA (in the 1980’s) and the Kiwanis Club in Oneida, NY (in the 1990’s). She advocated for woman's rights, treating others equally regardless of differences, and caring for those who couldn't care for themselves. Janice loved crafting of all sorts; scrap booking, mixed-media art, beadwork, quilting, and pottery. She also loved cooking and baking and made a great apple pie, but was also known for her special apricot pie. Card playing was a family tradition; Janice enjoyed playing bridge, pinochle, cribbage, hand and foot, poker, and many more. Spending time with friends and family was a very important part of her life. Her perfect day would include as many of her favorite things as possible, but must start and end snuggled in her double wide chair with her husband.

In addition to her parents and husband Hal, Janice was preceded in death by a son, William “Bill” Pafka, formerly of Washington, DC, and siblings William "Bill" Gerbig and Joyce Harvey. She is survived by her children Donald Pafka, Canastota, NY and Heather Steinle (husband Chris), Hernando, FL. She is also survived by her step children Lisa Golding, Lebanon, NH; Julie Waugh (husband Luke), Andrew Hemmerling (wife Michelle), Enfield, NH and David Hemmerling, Frye Island, ME. Janice and Hal also shared grandchildren Rose Reynolds (husband Keith Upham), Lyndonville, VT; Andy Steinle (fiancé Anna Chen), Denver, CO; Rebecca Brown (husband Michael), Ballston Spa, NY; Liam Hemmerling, Worcester, MA; Connor and Aidan Hemmerling, both of Enfield, NH; and great grandchildren Hazel and Ivy Upham, both of Lyndonville, VT and Kim Guerra, Denver, CO.

Care entrusted to Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills, FL.