Janet Timmons

She was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on May 13, 1931, and grew up on a farm. She was active in 4-H as a child, winning three blue ribbons for sewing at the county fair, and a white ribbon at the Indiana State Fair. She played piano from an early age, accompanying groups at school and winning medals at the regional solo festival. She graduated from Western High School in 1949 and received a merit scholarship to Indiana University, which she attended.

In 1953, she married G. Dean Timmons, also of Kokomo.

In addition to Kokomo, Janet lived in Indianapolis; Lima, Ohio; Wichita Falls, Texas; and Akron. In Texas in the early 1960s, she attended a military wives tea with Jacqueline Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson, and kept a napkin from the event in pristine condition for nearly 60 years — a perfect example of her love of memorabilia, nostalgia, and stories, as well as her avid interest in Democratic politics, which deepened in her later years.

Janet dedicated her life to raising her daughters and took great pride in their success, and that of her grandchildren. When her children were in school, they were active in the National Forensic League; she spent so much time attending these competitions that she assumed a role judging them, which she performed enthusiastically for 10 years.

Janet loved music; seated at her grand piano, she instilled a love of music in her family. She also played for many civic and church groups, and was an organist in both Indianapolis (Mount Olive United Methodist Church) and Akron (East Market Street Christian Church). In Akron, she was involved in multiple local and national organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, Children’s Home Board, and PEO, an international philanthropic organization that focuses on advancing educational opportunities for women across the globe.

She traveled to Israel, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Antigua, Thailand and Nepal, as well as throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Larad E. and Garnet C. Wilson. She is survived by her three daughters (Jane Timmons-Mitchell, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Ann Timmons of Brooklyn, New York; and Mary Timmons, of Harvard, Massachusetts) and six grandchildren (Clare and Stephen Mitchell, Nora and Leo Biette-Timmons, and Meg Warsi and Douglas Gandle).

A public visitation for Janet will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM. Pastor Scott Pattison of St. Luke's United Methodist Church will officiate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Timmons family.