Janet Louise Gabbard

Janet Gabbard, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026 at the age of 83. She was surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob”, son Robert “Bobby”, brother David Wolbaugh, brother-in-law Herbert Baughman, and nephew Alan Gabbard.

Born on December 30, 1942 in Wooster, Ohio, Janet was the daughter of Robert and Hilda Wolbaugh (Kettering). She grew up in Smithville and graduated from Smithville High School. She continued her education at Wittenberg University where she earned a Bachelor degree in Education. It was there that she met her beloved husband, Bob.

She married Bob in August of 1963 and together they built a life filled with love and cherished memories. They raised two children, Bobby and Mike. Throughout her life, Janet was a source of unwavering love, strength, and guidance to her family.

Janet was a dedicated school teacher for over 30 years. The majority of her career was spent teaching English at Mechanicsburg High School. (She would likely be mortified by the incorrect use of commas and punctuation errors in this obituary).

Janet had a passion for gardening, which she enjoyed with great enthusiasm. Spring was an exciting time for her and she enjoyed traveling to Wooster to flower shop with her sister, Carol. Janet carried her love of gardening to Otterbein in Lebanon, her home of the last four years. She maintained her assigned pots with love and care. She loved to sew, and sold her unique designs at the Otterbein Holiday Bazaar. She frequented Otterbein’s Creative Arts Center where she created beautiful fused glass and pottery pieces. Janet was an avid reader and she and Carol enjoyed traveling to bookstores where they bought and sold books galore. She was a wildlife lover and enjoyed feeding and watching wild birds. She was kind and loving to her pets over the years and often referred to her dog, Sophie, as a soul-mate. And, for many years, Janet served as an Election Official, working the polls in her hometown of Springfield.

Janet is survived by her devoted son, Michael (Shelley) Gabbard, and her cherished grandson, Lucas McNeal (Juliet). She is also survived by a sister, Carol Baughman, sister-in-law, Lorinda Wolbaugh, and many other relatives and friends who were touched by her warmth and kindness. She was loved dearly by the littles of our family, who referred to her affectionately as “Mother Gabbard”.

A graveside service will be held at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in New Carlisle, Ohio on Tuesday, October 6 at 11 am. It is here that Janet will be laid to rest next to her husband Bob and son Bobby. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Audubon Society or your local Humane Society