Janet Merryman

Janet Muriel Merryman, age 88, mother to seven and grandmother to twenty-two, of Columbus, Ohio, left us to be with the angels on July 12, 2011. Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Curtis Merryman; grandsons, Danger Gorman and Jarrod Mokma; sister Helen Fox, and many beloved relatives and friends over a long and most blessed life. Janet was born on May 25, 1923, to Helen and Thomas Fox in Brooklyn, NY. She lived in Brooklyn, NY and Winsted, Connecticut before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943 as one of the first women to serve our country as a Wave. She met Dad, a Navy man, on a blind-date while stationed at Norfolk, VA. Dad liked to tell the story that Mom had picked him over hundreds of enlisted men stationed there. Mom and Dad shared a wonderful life together until his passing in 2003. When it came to family, Mom was always a force to be reckoned with. She loved all of us unconditionally and guided our family with an uncompromising belief that each of us could accomplish anything we set out to do. Janet was a loving wife, a great Mom, and an awesome Grandma! Over a long life she touched so many with her humor, graciousness and indomitable spirit. She is already so missed by her family; brother Tommy Fox of Lady Lake, Florida; daughter Pat Merryman of Westerville, kids; Kelly, Kevin; son Jim Merryman of Columbus; son, Dan; son Bill (Patty) Merryman of Westerville, kids, Lyndsey, Amy, Jenny, Kara; daughter Karen (Bill) Blake of Cicero, Indiana, kids; Christopher, Rachel, Scott; daughter Missy Gorman of Westerville, kids; Katie, Billy; son Gene (Fran) Merryman of Noblesville, Indiana, kids; Sarah, Gene Phillip, Stephanie; daughter Kim (Craig) Mokma of Gahanna, kids; Jake, Kyle, Luke, Joey, Kessie. She also is survived by many, many loving extended family members and friends of the family. We ask that all of you take a moment today to remember our extraordinary Mom and how she may have touched your life. Friends are invited to join the family as we say good-bye to the greatest Mom and Grandma ever! Immediate family will welcome family and friends to share memories from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, Friday, July 15, at the Schoedinger Northeast Chapel 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. (at Beecher Rd.), where funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 16, 2010. The family will also receive friends at the family home following the committal service at Riverside Cemetery on Sunbury Road in Columbus.