Janice Lee Modesitt

Friday, July 24, 2020

Janice Lee Modesitt, 76, of Pensacola, Fla., formerly of Reelsville, passed away on June 28, 2020 following recent complications from a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Janice was born on Nov. 29, 1943, in Brazil, Indiana to Leonidas “Lee” Patrick and Doris (Bennett) Patrick.

The second of three children, Janice spent her youth attending school and working at Adamson’s Dry Cleaners. She attended Brazil High School, graduating in 1961.

Married in 1963, Janice and her husband Larry spent many years on their farm in Reelsville. Together with their children, Lee Ann and Susan, they showed hogs at the Putnam County and Indiana State fairs. Janice opened her home to all family and friends and was a cornerstone for warmth, comfort and love in the community.

With the end of their farming days, Janice worked not only as a postmaster at the Reelsville Post Office, but also at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Greencastle, where she spent the next 20-plus years. She finished her career with Wal-Mart as a customer service manager. Many who shopped there often took the time to chat with her.

Following her career with Wal-Mart, Janice was diagnosed with renal cancer. In order to better care for herself and Larry, they moved to Pensacola to be with their daughter Susan.

Here Janice focused on both her and Larry’s health. Between infusion therapies and caregiving, Janice could always be found with a book in her hand. She also loved to take walks on the beach, go to the movie theater and share pictures of her family with every person she chatted with. She was a joyful presence to any that she came across.

Janice is survived by her husband Larry of Pensacola; daughter Susan Diamond of Pensacola; grandchildren and their spouses Kyle Brown and wife Tara and great-grandchildren Ellie and Maddie of Noblesville, Ryan Smithies of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Erin Whelan and Chandler of Pensacola; a sister, Judith Schrameyer and husband Ray of Lake St. Louis; brother Michael Patrick and wife Brenda of Aurora, Colo.; and a brother-in-law, Rick Modesitt of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Also, many extended family members, special friend Charlotte Burke and other dear friends she held close.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents Lee and Doris, daughter Lee Ann Brown and son-in-law Johnny and son James “Jimmy” Modesitt.