Janice Arlene Gerth

Janice Arlene Gerth, 82, of Columbus, died at 4:50 p.m., July 7, 2023, at her home. Janice was born May 1, 1941, in Osgood, the daughter of Harold and Virginia Irene Monroe Baker. She married Larry Joseph Gerth on April 8, 1972. Janice and Larry owned Jan’s Craft Shop (Ceramics) in Columbus for many years. After 9/11, she began volunteering for the Red Cross and dedicated her life to helping others. In 2017, she was named Volunteer of the Year, given by Red Cross, a Presidential award for outstanding volunteer service. In her leisure time, she enjoyed knitting blankets for her family, hats for the Columbus Regional Cancer Center, making rosaries for those in need, and other handcrafted items for Turning Point. Due to her unconditional love, kindness, and knowledge, Janice will be missed by all the lives she touched. Her greatest passion was her husband, kids, and grandchildren. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Father Clem Davis officiating. Calling will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Red Cross and Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Survivors include her husband, Larry Gerth; children, Gail Bryant, Melanie Hargis, Mark Brooks, Amy (Randy) Thompson, Joe (Jaclyn) Gerth, and Julia (Jeremy) Cowan; siblings; Rita Reoch, of Greenwood, Gene Baker, of New Palestine, and Keith Baker, of Brown County; grandchildren, Nathan (Erin) Bryant, Holly (Troy) Cowan, Amber Hopkins, Jeremy (Cindy) Day, Daniel (Sarah) Day, Courtney (Josh) Rhoades, Kristian MacDonald, Hannah Brooks (Nic Barrientos), Shelby Brooks, Samantha Brooks, Joshua Thompson, Nicholas (Jessica) Wise, Joey Gerth, Ashley Gerth, Alex McRoy, Mikalyn McRoy, Zyah McRoy, Tyler (Tanna) Decker, Zachary Cowan, Trevor Cowan; great-grandchildren, Nicole (Joe) Hauer, Dylan Cowan, Megan Cowan, Austin, Cowan, Rachel Hopkins, Brooke Hopkins, Caleb Hopkins, Jackson Bryant, Mason Bryant, Ava Bryant, Logan Day, Cora Day, Ryder Hill, Valerie Barrientos, Juliet Barrientos, Henry Hartwell, Konor MacDonald, Carter Hill, Danica Thompson, Tillie Decker and Brantley Cowan; great-great-grandchildren, Aliyah Cowan, Walker Cowan, Jett Polbito, Rome Hauer. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandchildren, Derek Gerth, and Jason Hopkins, and a son-in-law, John Bryant. Arrangements entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.