Janet Faye Bender Kaplan

1942 - 2014

Janet Faye Bender Kaplan March 2, 1942 - February 3, 2014. Janet (Jan) was born in Lebanon, PA, daughter of the late William and Dorothy (Miller) Bender. She was the third child in a family of six (her older brother William, Jr., died as an infant) and often took care of her younger siblings. She graduated from Eastern High school in Baltimore, MD, and attended classes at Capital University in Columbus, OH. She was an active member of the youth group at Grace Lutheran Church in Baltimore where she met her husband, David Kaplan. They were married February 10, 1962, at Grace and were one week short of celebrating their 52nd Anniversary on the day Jan died. Jan and Dave have four children: Daniel (Karen) Kaplan of Brookeville, MD; Cynthia (Gene) Rowley of Waynesboro, PA; Crystal (Rick) Lednum of Baltimore, MD; and Melita Kaplan of Hagerstown. They have also been blessed with six grand children: Ryan Kaplan; Holly, Sierra and Eden Lednum; Haley and Alexandra Kaplan. Jan is survived by a brother, Thomas (Laura) Bender of Baltimore and a sister Linda (Stewart) Sterner of Westminster, MD, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers Ronald, William, Jr. and John Bender. Jan was employed as a secretary at GEICO Insurance in Washington, DC, and at Aid Association for Lutherans in Appleton, WI. She worked as a sales associate for Lazarus Department Store in Columbus, OH, and more recently for Sears in Hagerstown. Besides formal employment she enjoyed providing child care for families in need. Jan was an active member in all the Congregations where her husband served as a Lutheran pastor. Most recently at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Hagerstown she taught Sunday School in the Sunshine Class for special needs participants. She also helped organize and was active in the Quilters, whose ministry is constructing quilts and blankets for Lutheran World Relief. At Haven Lutheran Church, where the Kaplan's joined after Pr. Dave's retirement, Jan helped coordinate Vacation Bible School each year A service remembering her life will be held at Haven Lutheran Church, 1035 Haven Road, Hagerstown, MD on February 15 at 12 Noon. The service will be preceded by a time for visiting with the family at 11 AM. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorial donations may be made to Haven Lutheran Church, Hospice of Washington County or a ministry of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown, MD. Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com