Barbara Jeanne Janci

Barbara Jeanne (Owings) Janci, a cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and proud U.S. Air Force veteran, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 22, 2026, at the age of 79 in Wichita, Kansas.

Barbara was born October 30, 1946, to Gene Owings and Margaret (McCune) Owings, the first of six children. She graduated from Wichita South High School, attended the University of Wichita for one year, and then answered the call to serve her country by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. While serving, she married her husband and later moved to Pennsylvania to raise their family.

After her honorable service, Barbara earned her CDL and worked as a school bus driver/trainer for the Catasauqua Area School District, where her children attended school. She was president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the National Association of Letter Carriers, volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America, and delivered for Meals on Wheels. In 1992, she returned to Kansas and continued her career as a bus driver/trainer before working at Boeing for more than a decade. After retirement, Barbara embraced life with enthusiasm—traveling, taking cruises, enjoying casinos, and driving her Mustang convertible. She often drove her RV to Pennsylvania in the Summer to visit family, and one memorable adventure saw her bravely driving her four grandchildren to Disney World. It was no surprise that she was fondly known as "Adventure Barbie." She was an active member at St. Anne’s church, volunteered as a school nurse, and continued to deliver Meals on Wheels. In 2023 she was honored as a female veteran during the Kansas Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Gene Owings and Margaret (McCune) Owings; her brother, Greg Owings; and her granddaughter, Olivia Janci.She is survived by her children: Joanne Janci, Karen (Michael) Henning, Sharon (James) Dowdy, and Stephen (Elizabeth) Janci; her seven grandchildren: William (Brittany) Faust, Alexis Prodes, Samantha Henning, Bradshaw Henning, Shayla Dowdy, Rudy Janci, and Harvey Janci; her two great-grandchildren: Bladen and Kaleb; her siblings: Cheryl (Robert) Young, Brian (Darmin) Owings, Pamela (Ronald) LaMar, and David (Shannan) Owings; along with many nieces, nephews, and a host of dear friends.

Visitation with family will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Smith Family Mortuaries, 1415 N Rock Road, Derby, KS 67037. The Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 1101 W Regal St, Wichita, KS 67217. A celebration of life will be held in Pennsylvania at a later date. Barbara's legacy of strength, service, and love endures. May she rest in peace. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne’s Catholic Church or to The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, 5500 E Kellogg Ave, Wichita, KS 67218