Waynetown – Janice Arlene Cox Irvin, age 68 of Waynetown, died at 5:35 a.m. Thursday, December 19, 2013 in Williamsburg Health Care, Crawfordsville, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Crawfordsville, May 3, 1945, daughter of the late Ashley Eugene and Alta Geraldine Smith Cox. She was first married to and divorced from Thomas Bolen, with whom she had two daughters. She later married Jesse E. Irvin in Crawfordsville on July 8, 1989 and he survives.
Janice was raised in Waynetown and graduated from Waynetown High School. Janice lived in Wingate and Crawfordsville before moving back to Waynetown. She worked many years as a professional cook at Wabash College and for fraternities on campus, as well as for the Crawfordsville Schools and the Boys & Girls Club. She previously was employed by Atapco Industries in Crawfordsville. Janice attended the Waynetown United Methodist Church and formerly attended the Waynetown Christian Church. She enjoyed playing in the Waynetown Canasta and Bunco Clubs.
Janice loved her family and enjoyed cooking special meals for them, especially her grandchildren. She and Jesse enjoyed frequent trips to casinos and traveling. Janice was known as a caring, unselfish, loving person, always willing to do anything for someone needing help. She was funny, had a great sense of humor and genuinely cared about people. Her wit and charm will be missed by all who knew her.
Surviving along with her husband Jesse, who was her best friend, are two daughters: Susan Risner of Darlington and Jennifer (Kirk) Harpenau of Newburgh, IN, a sister Debra Stroud of Paoli and a brother Robert 'Bob' Cox of Waynetown. Grandchildren: Brett & Amber Risner, Kiley & Adam Harpenau. Three great-grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Ronald Cox, Philip Cox.
Her family will greet guests, 4 – 7 p.m. Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2013 at Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate with Pastor John Booth officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery near Elmdale. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Waynetown United Methodist Church. To share a memory or leave a condolence, visit us at www.familyandfriendsfh.com