Janis Whitmire of West Harrison, IN, loving wife of the late Jerome Whitmire and beloved mother of John (Sue) Whitmire and Mellissa (Mel) Gayer, died peacefully at home Friday, April 1, 2016. Born, December 20, 1938 in Gorman Texas, she was the only child and daughter of the late John and Willie (DeWitt) Hightower. She was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and a retired employee of the Internal Revenue Service.
Janis was an avid musician and a longtime member of the Shawnee Valley Dulcimer Society. She was also a member of The Indiana Fiber Friends, a wool spinning group. In her younger days, she was a champion horse barrel racer. She adored her family and friends, her home in the country and all the stray animals who found their way to her door.
In addition to her son and daughter, she is survived by her daughter-in-law Sien Whitmire and her grandchildren Matt and Sara Whitmire, Daniel and Donald Whitmire and Chris and Courtney Gayer. She was the proud great-grandmother of Chance, Hayden and Kayla, Nathan and Kamryn, Andrew and Jacob and Elliott. She will also be missed by Danis (Carolyn) and Delwin (Mary) Whitmire. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son Don Whitmire.
Family and friends may visit Wednesday, April 6 from 3 pm to 4 pm followed by services at 4 pm at Jackman Kercheval Meyers Funeral Home, Harrison, OH. In lieu of flowers, contribution may be made in her memory to the Franklin County Indiana Humane Society, PO Box 272 Brookville, IN 47012. Online condolences at www.jkmfuneralhome.com
