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Janice Lorraine (George) Searle
PERRYSBURG: Janice Lorraine (George) Searle, 88, of Perrysburg, died peacefully on April 6, 2014 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg. She passed into eternity the morning after her four sons sang her to sleep for the final time. A woman of deep religious conviction, she lived her life as an example of Christian love and service.
She was born on a farm in rural Wood County on November 22, 1925 to Merritt and Bernice George. While still in grade school she learned from her mother how to play the piano, a talent she later developed to a high degree of proficiency. She graduated with honors from Jackson High School in Hoytville, Ohio in 1943, then graduated magna cum laude in 1947 from Bowling Green State University with the highest GPA in the College of Education. Even though she majored in Elementary Education, she was selected over piano majors to be piano accompanist for the top choirs at BGSU.
While in college, Janice began dating a young man recently returned to the States from the war, and in June 1947 she married John C. Searle. For the next three years she taught school in Grand Rapids, Ohio while John earned his degree from BGSU. Upon moving to Sidney, Ohio she taught in the Sidney school system to help put her husband through graduate school. John entered the ministry and together they served five churches in 42 years: four years at Webster E.U.B (Wood County), four years at Memorial E.U.B in Sidney, eleven years at First E. U. B in Marion, eight years at Trinity United Methodist in Bowling Green, nine years at First United Methodist in Sylvania, as well as six years as United Methodist District Superintendent in Defiance.
During their years in Sidney and Marion, the couple had four sons: Steven, Scott, Michael, and Martin. Once the boys all reached school age, Janice returned to teaching, serving as a substitute elementary teacher in Bowling Green and an elementary music teacher in Defiance. She was piano accompanist for the Sylvania Northview High School choir for many years, touring with them in Belgium. In each of her churches, Janice sang as a fine alto in the choir and served as substitute organist. In addition to her musical talents, Janice was also a gifted athlete, an avid reader, and a seamstress who made all her own clothes.
After her husband's retirement in 1988, the couple moved to Perrysburg, and for the next 25 years Janice again shared her gift of music with countless organizations. She would regularly accompany senior recitals for vocal music majors at BGSU, played for countless junior and senior high students at Solo & Ensemble contests, and was piano accompanist for numerous musicals at Defiance High School, Central Catholic High School, Springfield High School, Cardinal Stritch High School, and the Black Swamp Players in Bowling Green. For twenty years she played piano for a local entertainment troupe, The Common Company. She composed many songs over the years, including an original operetta. She provided music programs for dozens of church and community group meetings, usually on her own but sometimes with one or more sons. Having failed to come up with even one tenor out of the four, she wrote, arranged or transposed quartet music for her sons into bass-baritone range.
Janice was preceded in death by her sister, Betty and grandson, Wyatt.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 67 years, John; sons, Steve (Alicia) Searle, Scott (Ann-Marie) Searle, Michael (Margaret) Searle, and Marty (Brenda) Searle; grandchildren, Christopher, Marisa, Morgan, and Kenton Searle; siblings, Kermit George, Kenneth (Lauretta) George, and Vivian (Don) Hills; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at DUNN FUNERAL HOME, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster Street, from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11. A Celebration of Life for Janice will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12 at First United Methodist Church, 1526 East Wooster Street in Bowling Green. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences can be made by visiting: www.dunnfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Marty
So sorry to hear of the death of your mother. I know how close your family was and still is. May the peace of our Lord comfort you and your family my
prayers are with all of you.
Sharon Dailey
May 8, 2014
Dear John and boys,
Glenn and I were so sorry to hear of Janice's passing. She was a great woman, an asset to you and so talented in her own right. I wanted to tell her that she was a role model for me many times over during these past 47 years. May you find comfort in God's abiding love during these coming days.
Lois and Glenn Calkins
May 1, 2014
My sincere condolences to all the Searle family. When I taught at BGSU, I remember going to student recitals & hearing Jan accompany tough stuff. I'm not talking about nice predictable vocal pieces, but accompaniments to disjunct & dissonant brass sonatas. I once asked her about her musical background and got the info as in the obit. Was hard to think she was not a piano major! At the time I heard her she was "on in years" some, and everyone always remarked about her elegant appearance, willingness to learn new music, and to engage with the young. I later realized she was the mother of the musical sons I heard in musicals, portraying centurions on Palm Sunday, etc. !
Ed Duling
April 21, 2014
Aunt Janice was a wonderful member of the family. She was always so cheerful and thoughtful...always full of joy. We'll always remember her gifts and giving of herself!
Julie Kidd
April 15, 2014
All the best to the Searle family. Certainly Janice's life deserves to be celebrated!
Tim George
April 11, 2014
I'll always remember your sunny disposition and heart for the Lord. You are missed!
Ryan George
April 11, 2014
Our prayers go out to you.
Megan Cover
April 10, 2014
Jeanine Goeglein
April 10, 2014
What a beautiful tribute in the Marion Star. It brought a tear to my eye to think about my cousins singing her to sleep for the last time. But it was followed by a smile thinking about the lack of tenors. My deepest condolences.
Erin Wright
April 10, 2014
So sorry for your loss. I remember Janice and your family so well. Janice was so very talented. John, do you remember the Owens family Gayle and Elsie Owens? My sister-in-law Patricia Owens (never married) graduated from Bowling Green. She passed away 1-20-13 from pancreatic cancer age 84. My husband Jack passed away 3-22-14 age 83 from natural causes.
I don't know if you are aware the First EUB church was purchased by the Emanuel Lutheran Church. They had planned to a lot of remodeling, but due to the concrete floor & many other problems was going to be way to costly. It was torn down and that area is now a wonderful day care play area. Jack & I were married in that church Sept. 21, 1952. A lot of memories in that church family.
Beulah Owens
April 10, 2014
Dear Searle Family,
We are sorry to hear of your loss and send prayers your way during this time.
With Sympathy,
The Yarnell Family
Karen Yarnell
April 8, 2014
Some of my happiest memories as a girl growing up at First EUB in Marion, Ohio include Rev. Searle and Janice! My father was Don White, who was very active at the church. My mother was Louise White. They have both gone to be with The Lord, my father in 1969 and my mother in 2006. I so loved Janice's example of a true Prov. 31 wife and mother. She was warm, friendly, and abundantly talented!!! I even remember a song sung about the first 3 of her 4 boy called, "Steve, Scotty, and Mike"!!! I thank God my life was touched by this wonderful family as I was growing up in Marion!! I loved Sundays Rev. Searle's father would speak and his strong singing voice!! He was truly a Godly man!!! I celebrate with you the life of your wife and mother and grandmother!! She brought joy to so many!! What a reunion Heaven must be for God's children!!!!
Nancy White Plymale
April 8, 2014
Jim and I were married by Rev. John C. Searle on August 29, 1958 in Marion, Ohio at First EUB Church. We have very fond memories of the Searle Family. Our deepest condolences, Judi and Jim Fate
April 8, 2014
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