Janice Elaine Spurgin, age 81, passed peacefully on Thursday, January 14, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving husband of 62 years and her four children. A lifelong resident of southern Henry county, Janice was born on November 27, 1939 to her dear parents, David and Faustine (Bates) Lilly. Janice attended Straughn High School and this is where she met the love of her life, Floyd. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin. Her kindness, big heart, friendship, and especially her delicious cooking will be missed by many. She had many specialties, but she was well known for her apple crisp and lemon meringue pie. In fact, she considered herself to be the “Martha Stewart” of southern Henry county.
Janice was dedicated to her family, local community, and her family at Salem United Methodist Church. She thrived at sharing in large gatherings, such as family reunions, church dinners, 4-H events, various sporting events, class reunions, and especially playing cards with family and friends. Her card game of choice was “hand and foot.” There were many times when the card game would become a heated debate over the rules and of course she was always right.
Her many hobbies and interests included canning, freezing corn, and cooking. She was very honored to be a vital part of the church’s Ladies-Aide, serving on several church committees and most importantly leading weekly bible study discussions. She also dedicated much time, effort, and energy with her music ministry. She could be regularly found playing the piano and organ during Sunday services and when requested, at funerals.
Janice enjoyed watching her children, grand-children, and great grand-children play a variety of sports, participate in different activities, and exhibit at the 4-H fair. She was also known as being “the boss” during the annual US 40 yard sales. “Mamaw”, as she was affectionately known, will be remembered for her welcoming and open arms, her desire to always fix a bite to eat for anyone who arrived at supper time, and her insistence that everyone leaving grandma’s house would leave with a handful of peanut M&M’s or crackers.
In addition to working tirelessly for her family, Janice was also previously employed outside of the home. Her places of employment included North American Insurance Company in Richmond, ICAP of New Castle, and Community Care in New Castle as an activities director. Most recently, she was actively involved in the Dudley Township Board of Trustees for more than 20 years.
Janice loved to travel especially with her family. Some of her more memorable destinations included travel to Sweden, France, Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. This love of travel helps explain her willingness to open her home to foreign exchange students. Her travels within the United States included trips to Florida, Branson, Missouri, California, the Grand Canyon and taking multiple cruises.
Janice’s faith held a very special place in her heart and she was a strong believer in being a faithful and loving servant for God. She has now attained her life-long goal of meeting her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived her life everyday by witnessing her love for God and the Scriptures. She had a strong influence on her family’s spiritual formation, no matter where they were within their religious journey.
Janice led her life by example and her unconditional love for her family, friends, and even strangers has left an imprint on all of our hearts.
Janice was preceded in death by her loving parents, David and Faustine Lilly, her treasured sisters, Joan (Bill) Cota, and Patricia Bowers as well as grandson Joey Massengale. In addition to these loved ones, there are many other beloved family members who were there to welcome her into heaven when she met her Creator.
Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 62 years, Floyd Spurgin, her children Gary (Anna Maria) Spurgin of Greenfield, Michael (Nancy) Spurgin of Anderson, Scott (Abby) Spurgin of Knightstown and Holly (Kevin) Massengale of Straughn, grandchildren Griffin Spurgin of Greenfield, Amber (JT) Burns of New Castle, Rachel (Matthew) Crabtree of New Castle, (Amber & Rachel’s mother: Tammi Nicholson), Reanna (Lance) Jessup of Markleville, Melissa Collis of Fishers, Lee (Melissa) Spurgin of Knightstown, Anna (Chance) Hendrickson of Wilkinson, (Lee & Anna’s mother: Tracy Spurgin), Hunter Coleman of Knightstown, JR (Kasey) Massengale of Sulphur Springs, Amber Dowell of Dunreith, Trevor (Taylor Craft) Heady, Sarah Heady and Corbyn Heady of Straughn, 16 great grandchildren, with two on the way, her dear sister Deanna (Michael) Timmons of Clermont, Florida, several adored nieces and nephews, beloved cousins and cherished friends.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday January 21, 2021 at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Lewisville Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday January 22nd at Salem United Methodist Church- 4367 East 700 South, Straughn, IN 47387. Pastor John Koyles will officiate. Burial will be at Hopewell Cemetery.
As a reminder, COVID19 regulations require face masks, social distancing and limits the number of guests in the facility, so please keep your visit brief.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Salem United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences can be made at www.marshallanderleweinfuneralhome.com